Fire Brigades Union

@fbunational

We are the voice of firefighters and the fire and rescue service in the UK. Promoted by the Fire Brigades Union, 171-173 Gray’s Inn Road, WC1X 8UE

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Fire Brigades Union@fbunational· 15d

A decade of Tory austerity axed 12,000 frontline firefighters. Now wildfires are surging, and we don't have the crews to fight them safely. We need 5,000 more firefighters now. The FBU is urging government to convene a National Wildfire Summit to build national resilience.

Fire Brigades Union@fbunational· 16d

FBU members turned out for Belfast Pride over the weekend. While the day was one of pride and celebration, we were deeply saddened to learn of the attack on Pride in Berlin on the same day.

Fire Brigades Union@fbunational· 19d

July is on course to be the driest in nearly 200 years, with droughts declared across Wales. The Met Office has predicted that UK summers will be 60% drier by 2070. And yet there aren't enough firefighters to deal with faster-growing and more frequent wildfires.

Fire Brigades Union@fbunational· 20d

🚨 Firefighters are battling a huge wildfire on the Isle of Wight, with mainland crews travelling across the Solent to assist. This is why we need a UK-wide strategy on how we deal with wildfires. Firefighters deserve real investment and national standards to respond to incidents like these safely.

Fire Brigades Union@fbunational· 22d

Over 40,000 hectares burned in UK wildfires last year. The last few weeks have shown the strain UK fire services are under. Major incidents declared in North Wales and Derbyshire. Further wildfires tackled across the UK from Scotland to Sussex.

"This year's wildfires are only the latest in an escalating number of incidents in recent years in the UK. In 2025, fire and rescue services in England and Wales responded to more than a thousand wildfire incidents - the worst year on record"

Some issues such a summit could consider include:
▪ A UK-wide wildfire strategy, linked with approaches across the devolved nations and England
▪ The impact of climate change and increasingly frequent heatwaves on operational risk
▪ National standards for wildfire preparedness, training and operational response
▪ Firefighter safety, including welfare, hydration, PPE, fatigue management and exposure to smoke and contaminants
▪ National resilience arrangements and interoperability between services
▪ Prevention work, including public awareness, vegetation management and land management practices
▪ Improved data collection, research and forecasting
▪ Investment in specialist equipment and capability
▪ Learning from international partners with greater experience of sustained wildfire activity
▪ The role of local resilience forums and cross-government coordination.
▪ Future workforce planning, recognising that equipment cannot replace firefighters.

Fire Brigades Union@fbunational· 23d

#WeRemember Adam Meere and Billy Faust who lost their lives in the line of duty 22 years ago today. Firefighters from Whitechapel Fire Station, Adam and Billy, were tragically killed while fighting a fire in Bethnal Green, after rescuing another man.

Fire Brigades Union@fbunational· 26d

Hotter summers mean higher stakes. FBU rep, Liam Jones, talks about responding to the Tintwistle Moor wildfire in the latest FBU podcast. "We can have specialist equipment standing by doing nothing, because we don't have the resources to staff them."

Fire Brigades Union@fbunational· 26d

Climate change is here. Is our resilience? In 2013, wildfires were listed on the government risk register but there's still no UK wide strategy for how we respond. We’re calling for an emergency summit on wildfires. We need investment and national standards now.

Fire Brigades Union@fbunational· 29d

Firefighters are tackling 19 wildfires across England and Wales. The Tintwistle Moor wildfire has burnt an equivalent of 350 football pitches. Now is the time for immediate and substantial investment in the fire service. We must rebuild resilience to properly protect firefighters and the public.

Fire Brigades Union@fbunational· Jul 13

7 year old Zane Gbangbola died in 2014 when floodwater passed through landfill into his home. Surrey FRS detected high levels of hydrogen cyanide from the incident. Today, the government has announced an inquiry into Zane's death. This inquiry must be thorough and transparent.

Fire Brigades Union@fbunational· Jul 13

FBU members marched last Saturday to celebrate workers and honour the miners and their struggle, 42 years ago. The past we inherit, the future we build ✊

Fire Brigades Union@fbunational· Jul 8

🚨 NEW: The FBU executive council has unanimously agreed to nominate @andyburnham.bsky.social for Leader of the Labour Party.

Fire Brigades Union@fbunational· Jul 3

Today marks 17 years since six people lost their lives at the Lakanal House fire. June 2027 will mark 10 years since 72 people lost their lives at the Grenfell Tower fire. Recent government data estimates more than 5,000 residential buildings over 11 metres still have unsafe cladding.

Fire Brigades Union@fbunational· Jul 2

📢Pensions update! A settlement has been reached for RDS pensions claims. 👉Breaks in service of one month or less will now count as continuous service 👉Longer breaks can be recognised where members provide supporting evidence 88% of affected claimants benefit immediately.

"This is an important step forward in securing full and proper pension recognition for retained firefighters. It reflects sustained legal pressure and the union's ongoing commitment to achieving fair outcomes for all members, and it should be noted that only the FBU have taken on, and won this fight."

RDS Pensions Claims – Settlement Agreed

I am writing to update you on an important development in the ongoing Retained Duty System (RDS) pensions claims.

Following receipt of a formal offer from the Government Legal Department (GLD) and based on strong legal advice from Thompsons and Counsel, the Executive Council has agreed to accept a negotiated settlement in relation to the issue of breaks in service for members who transferred from retained to wholetime employment.

The settlement deals specifically with how breaks between RDS service and wholetime employment are treated for pension purposes.
The agreed position is:
I. Breaks of 1 month or less
These will be treated as continuous service, meaning affected members will be able to count their retained service in full for pension purposes.

II. Breaks of more than 1 month
These cases will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Members will be able to have their service treated as continuous where they can provide evidence of one of the following:

a. An offer of wholetime employment before leaving retained service

b. A delay between leaving retained service and starting wholetime training

c. A break required by the employer

III. The Government has also indicated that the same principles may be extended to non-claimants at a later stage.

The legal advice we received is clear that this is a reasonable and beneficial outcome, particularly given that around 88% of identified affected claimants have breaks of less than one month and will therefore benefit directly and immediately. Importantly, for those with longer breaks, a route to recognition remains available where supporting evidence can be provided, and overall, the agreement is expected to deliver benefits for both claimants and non-claimants.

On balance, accepting this offer secures a strong and certain outcome for the vast majority of members.

Next Steps

We will now move to formally conclude this aspect of the case, seek to have the planned Tribunal hearing vacated, and continue progressing the remaining issues in the wider pensions case. Further detailed guidance will be issued shortly, including what members may need to do if they are affected—particularly those who may need to provide evidence relating to gaps in service.

This is an important step forward in securing full and proper pension recognition for retained firefighters. It reflects sustained legal pressure and the union’s ongoing commitment to achieving fair outcomes for all members, and it should be noted that only the FBU have taken on, and won this fight.

Further updates will follow.

Fire Brigades Union@fbunational· Jul 1

FBU reps from across the union have gathered at the disability and neurodiversity course to strengthen understanding, share experiences and help build a more inclusive union. FBU general secretary Steve Wright joined delegates today, with regional secretary Karl Wager chairing the course.

Fire Brigades Union@fbunational· Jun 26

FBU members are currently being balloted on the pay offer for 2026. Check your inbox for an email from Popularis. The offer is 3.8% increase on all basic pay rates and Continual Professional Development payments. The FBU executive council recommends that members vote to accept.

Fire Brigades Union@fbunational· Jun 24

FBU members must cast their vote on the 2026 pay offer by 2 July. Check your inbox for an email from Popularis with a link to vote. If you have not yet received an email from Popularis, please contact FBU membership services.

Fire Brigades Union@fbunational· Jun 23

Since 2010, Kent FRS has lost 462 firefighters. And yet, the service is proposing to cut a further 63 firefighter posts, 6 fire engines and 5 fire stations: 📍 Chilham 📍 Wye 📍 Cliffe 📍 Grain 📍 Westerham

Fire Brigades Union@fbunational· Jun 22

FBU assistant general secretary, Ben Selby, has made a statement on the union's support of our members engaging in Pride events across the country. The Fire Brigades Union proudly stands in solidarity with our LGBT+ members this Pride.

Fire Brigades Union@fbunational· Jun 22

Responding to the announcement by the Prime Minister of his resignation, FBU general secretary, Steve Wright said:

Fire Brigades Union@fbunational· Jun 18

🚨NEW: FBU members in Dorset and Wiltshire have fought against cuts to 8 stations and 96 firefighter jobs. Months of campaigning has secured an 11.8% funding uplift, plus an additional £1.8m. The CFO has responded with a new proposal to keep every station open.

Fire Brigades Union@fbunational· Jun 17

FBU general secretary, Steve Wright, attended a meeting on the Government’s proposed Duty of Candour legislation. This is about ensuring public bodies and institutions are transparent when things go wrong. Too often, families, survivors and communities have to fight for years to uncover the truth.

Fire Brigades Union@fbunational· Jun 11

🎙️ NEW PODCAST | The 2026 Pay Offer Tam McFarlane sits down with FBU general secretary Steve Wright and assistant general secretary Ben Selby to discuss the 2026 pay offer, including NJC negotiations and pay reform. 🗳️ Electronic ballot: 15 June - 2 July

Fire Brigades Union@fbunational· Jun 8

🔥 Questions on the 2026 pay offer? Tune in tomorrow at 6pm for a full briefing on... ✅️ Negotiations that led to the 2026 pay offer ✅️ Pay reform ✅️ The Executive Council's recommendation A link to the briefing will be posted on our socials.

Fire Brigades Union@fbunational· Jun 5

Voting on pay for 2026 will begin on 15 June. After months of intensive negotiations with the FBU, the national employers have made the following offer: 🟥 3.8% increase in pay 🟥 Including 3.8% increase to 'Continual Professional Development' payments

Fire Brigades Union@fbunational· Jun 4

🚨 NEW | The Executive Council has voted to recommend FBU members accept the 2026 pay offer from the National Employers, a 3.8% increase to all Grey Book roles, effective 1 July 2026. The electronic ballot opens 15 June, closes 2 July. Review the offer. Have your say. Cast your vote. 🗳️

Fire Brigades Union@fbunational· Jun 3

Serious fires require more than one fire engine to respond safely and effectively. A house fire with a person trapped inside requires three. Cutting frontline fire cover will result in residents waiting longer for vital back-up to arrive, putting their lives at risk.

Fire Brigades Union@fbunational· Jun 2

We’re proud to be supporting the International Anti-War conference on 20 July at Westminster Central Hall. Great to be alongside our trade union sister unions in standing against the global drive to militarism and war.

Fire Brigades Union@fbunational· Jun 1

Today, #WeRemember firefighter George MacDougall, who lost his life in the line of duty in 1937. George was called out to a fire at Beaufort Castle, Inverness, on 1 June 1937. The engine was open-sided, and George fell when the appliance reached Clachnaharry Bridge.

Fire Brigades Union@fbunational· Jun 1

The Fire Brigades Union has made a statement on the proposed EHRC Code of Practice on Services. Our message is clear. Equality matters, solidarity is essential, and we will continue to fight for both.