Fire Brigades Union
@fbunational.bsky.social
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We are the voice of firefighters and the fire and rescue service in the UK. Promoted by the Fire Brigades Union, 68 Coombe Rd, KT2 7AE
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In parts of Scotland, first fire appliances are taking 50 minutes to arrive at incidents, while fire deaths have surged by as much as 450% in Ayrshire.

This is the cost of sustained underfunding.

🎙️FBU executive council member for Scotland, Colin Brown, on the FBU podcast
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🚒What's new in your fire service?

We want to hear what you think of any developments - the good or the bad - to training, equipment, tech and more for Firefighter magazine.

Email your thoughts to [email protected] 📨
Photo by Hannah Tyler
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🚨Buckinghamshire fire authority are proposing cuts to eight fire engines and two stations, despite already losing over a third of its firefighters since 2010.

These cuts would seriously threaten public and firefighter safety. The FBU is demanding immediate investment to rebuild the service.
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Our thoughts are with all those affected by the horrific events in Manchester today.
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#WeRemember Stephen Neill, who lost his life in the line of duty on the 1st of October 1978. Stephen was killed by a wall collapsing while attempting to rescue another firefighter during a major warehouse fire at The Granery, St. Pancras Way.
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The ceremony was attended by Mick’s family, friends, former colleagues and FBU representatives, who paid tribute to his memory and his service to the community.
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Last week, we unveiled a new Red Plaque in honour of Michael 'Mick' Bird at Shepshed fire station, where he served for 21 years.

Mick died as a result of a medical emergency while in a fire engine responding to an incident on 24 September, nineteen years ago.
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Austerity has left the UK in a state of ruin.

Public services cut to the bone, households struggling to pay the bills - all while the rich get richer.

FBU general secretary Steve Wright calls for a wealth tax on BBC Politics Live today
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Today #WeRemember Michael Lee, who lost his life in the line of duty on the 29th of September 1969. Michael was killed by a roof collapse while searching for children believed to be trapped in a fire.
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CULPABLE

Decades of failure, deregulation and austerity led to the Grenfell Tower fire tragedy.

Politicians allowed homes to become ticking time bombs. Paul Hampton uncovers a web of complicity and deceit in the new FBU book on the causes of the fire.

Read an extract here:
Culpable
A tower block fire in the nineties should have alerted politicians to the dangers of deregulation – instead they allowed homes to become ticking time bombs.
www.fbu.org.uk
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1 in 4 retained firefighters across Wales have been lost to cuts.

This has left communities without adequate fire cover. The public has a right to know - and oppose- the risks.

FBU regional secretary for Wales, Duncan Stewart Ball, on the latest FBU podcast🎙️
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The UK is decades behind other countries when it comes to protecting firefighters from exposure to toxic contaminants in smoke and fire.

This is linked to our fight for 52 weeks of maternity leave - to protect mothers and babies from the health risks.
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In 1991 a fire destroyed Knowsley Heights. Combustible rainscreen cladding was a key factor in the rapid spread.

The incident was played down and covered up. Deregulation under Thatcher's government allowed unsafe council blocks to be built for greater profit.
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Solidarity with the Birmingham bin workers on strike!

Join the national demonstration this Saturday and march to Birmingham City Council chambers.

⏲️09:30, Unite the Union, 30 Jennens Road, Birmingham

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#WeRemember David Barnes and Neil Goldsmith who died in the line of duty responding to a fire in a large builders’ merchants store on 15 September 1977.
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🔥 Cuts to the fire service kill.

Across the UK, services are facing funding shortfalls of up to £800m, with more cuts on the way.

Listen to the latest FBU podcast on cuts.
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Last year, UK billionaires’ wealth grew by £35 million a day. Meanwhile, the fire service has been cut to the bone and is facing more cuts.

It's time for the richest in society to invest in public services through a wealth tax.
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While wildfire incidents hit record highs, the fire service faces devastating funding cuts. Station closures. firefighter posts cut. Lives at risk.

🎧 New FBU podcast episode exposes how 15 years of austerity is failing our communities when protection matters most.
Listen now ⬇️