Firefighter numbers in crisis after chronic underfunding

There are still nearly 11,500 fewer UK firefighters than in 2010, as firefighter posts have increased by just 318 this year, according to the Fire Brigades Union (FBU).

Nationally, there has been a 19% cut in frontline firefighters since the Conservatives took office, cutting firefighter numbers in every brigade in the UK. Overall spending on UK fire and rescue services has fallen by 38% since 2005.

The news comes as fires are increasing, with a 10% spike in England over the last year, after wildfires tore across the country.

Of the 45,653 people rescued by UK firefighters last year, 41,771 were from non-fire incidents, such as flooding, road traffic collisions, height rescues, lift rescues, and hazardous chemical spillages.

This year is the only net increase in UK firefighter numbers in a decade. Around 8,000 of the jobs cut since 2010 are wholetime firefighters, while 3,000 retained (on-call) firefighters have also been cut.

Around a quarter of fire control staff, who take the emergency calls and mobilise fire crews, have been lost.

The FBU is therefore urgently calling for the government to fund firefighter recruitment and reverse a decade of severe cuts to fire and rescue services.

Matt Wrack, FBU general secretary, said: “This government is doing nothing to ease the pressure on overstretched and underpaid firefighters, all while making dubious claims of spending elsewhere.

“Fire and rescue services are in crisis after years of brutal cuts – and this year’s measly increase in posts is wholly insufficient to plug the gaps. We cannot allow firefighters’ life-saving work to go unrecognised. The chancellor must fund firefighter recruitment and end the years of real-term pay cuts for firefighters.

“Our communities need more firefighters – and the government needs to reflect the work they do in their paycheques.”

Additionally in Greater Manchester, the Metro Mayor Andy Burnham is considering further cuts to the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service.

The Mayor’s office is considering deferring one small part of the cuts until the next spending review, in hope of receiving more funding.

More than 12,000 people have signed a petition against the proposals, which could see the city lose nine fire engines, cut 194 firefighter jobs, reduce crewing levels on each engine from five to four, close six fire stations to build only three more, and cut non-uniformed staff.

A Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “Like fire services across the country Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service has experienced 10 years of austerity, and has seen its budget cut by nearly £20 million since 2010.

“Since the Mayor of Greater Manchester assumed the role of Fire Commissioner in 2017, we have accelerated our recruitment programme to reduce vacancies and now have more firefighters than was the case two years ago.

“The impact of austerity is still being felt and Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service is facing a number of significant challenges that must be addressed. Our plans for the future of the fire service as part of our ongoing Programme for Change seek to ensure that we are a sustainable, efficient service that continues to keep people safe.

“Despite the challenging financial climate, we are doing everything we can here in Greater Manchester to maintain the high level of service that Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service provides.