The Fire Brigades Union has today welcomed moves by the Health and Safety Executive to investigate a new Breathing Apparatus policy in the Fire and Rescue Service, which it has branded “dangerous and irresponsible” and “one of the biggest threats…
Record number of UK firefighters to be tested for cancer as part of life-saving research
Today, Monday 24th April, life-saving firefighter cancer monitoring begins in Greater Manchester, as part of a new UK wide research project commissioned by the Fire Brigades Union (FBU). The testing is being carried out by the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan),…
First UK firefighters tested for cancer in new life-saving research
Life-saving firefighter cancer and health monitoring has now begun with the first samples carried out in Tyne and Wear, as part of a ground-breaking UK wide research project commissioned by the Fire Brigades Union (FBU). The research is being carried…
Fire Brigades Union response to HMICFRS State of Fire report
The Fire Brigades Union has responded to the Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services State of Fire and Rescue 2022 report. Matt Wrack, the general secretary of the Fire Brigades Union, said: ‘The FBU is disappointed with the…
Fire contaminants linked to significant physical and mental health issues among UK firefighters
New research has found that toxic contaminants in fires are directly linked to increased rates of cancer and mental health issues among firefighters. The findings support last year’s ruling from the International Agency for Research on Cancer, which says that…
Bronx apartment fire and Grenfell: Fire Brigades Union offers to coordinate with US on safety
The Fire Brigades Union has written to US counterparts to offer to work together on building safety campaigning in light of the Bronx apartment fire and the Grenfell Tower disaster. The deadly fire, which took place on 9 of January,…
Firefighters ‘might not be able to fight all fires’
Firefighter numbers have reached a new low since the beginning of austerity in 2010. One in five firefighter roles which existed in 2010 no longer exist, according to figures released this week, with a fall in numbers of 11,680 since…
Gillender Street fire 30th anniversary calls for safety advances to be preserved
Fire Brigades Union general secretary Matt Wrack has spoken out on the 30th anniversary of the Gillender Street fire in Tower Hamlets, London. Two firefighters died in the fire after running out of air. Wrack has personal links to the…
40th anniversary of New Cross fire: Fire Brigades Union comment
On the 40th anniversary of a fire during a house party in New Cross, South East London, that killed 13 young black people, the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has called the incident a ‘tragedy’ that takes on new relevance in…
Fire service bosses pull out of Covid-19 agreement
Fire and rescue service employers have unilaterally scrapped a groundbreaking agreement with the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) which had enabled firefighters to assist the NHS and care-sector response to Covid-19. Negotiations over health and safety measures for firefighters delivering high-risk…