Fire Brigades Union | The Voice Of Firefighters

Latest News

7 Sep

Video: Consultation continues on firefighter pay

In an important video update Matt Wrack, general secretary of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU), answers your questions on the current pay offer. .embed-container { position: relative;...

24 Aug

West Country firefighters support brave Grenfell colleagues

Firefighters in the South West, along with the TUC, raised more than £1,000 at the three day Tolpuddle Martyrs Festival in July for the Grenfell Firefighters’ Support Fund. A cheque...

FBU members wearing We Rescue people, Not Banks t-shirts inspired by Barcalona firefighters

18 Aug

FBU: Solidaridad to firefighters in wake of Barcelona terror attack

The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has expressed its solidarity with the firefighters who responded to the terror attacks in Barcelona and Cambrils that left at least 14 people dead and...

Latest Blog Posts

Andy Dark FAQs: Pay consultation

Sep 8, 2017

Andy Dark answers frequently asked questions about the pay consultation. Q: If the offer is accepted what does it commit...

Helen Hague Burning skies

Sep 5, 2017

Helen Hague recalls ‘heroes with grimy faces’ who were also artists St Paul’s Cathedral stands proud and defiant against a red...

Mark Serwotka Change the law for life

Sep 4, 2017

PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka’s life was saved after a heart transplant. He wants more people to be given the same opportunity...

FBU in the News

England's fire services suffer 25% cut to safety officers numbers

29 August 2017 The Guardian

Fire fighters' battle with PTSD: "Every day is an anxious day"

23 August 2017 The Guardian

Micky Nicholas: ‘The fire service was a negative environment for black people – but it’s changed’

22 August 2017 The Guardian

More FBU in the news

Latest Circulars

PAY CONSULTATION – FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Sep 8, 2017 Ref: 2017HOC0491AD

DEATH OF MEMBER: BROTHER MARK HILDER

Sep 7, 2017 Ref: 2017HOC0480AD

Pay offer consultation with members

Sep 7, 2017 Ref: 2017HOC0475AMcL

More circulars

FBU Campaigns

No to PCC takeover

On 11 September 2015, the government set out plans to enable Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) to take over the fire and rescue service.

Firefighters provide a humanitarian service, they are not agents of the state nor are they law enforcers. Firefighters play a neutral role in our communities.

No to PCC takeover

Save our Fire and Rescue Service

The Westminster government cut its funding to the fire and rescue service by 30% during the course of the last parliament.

As a result nearly 7,000 frontline jobs were lost. That’s one in eight firefighter jobs gone. Stations, appliances and equipment were also cut.

Save our Fire and Rescue Service

Fire and Rescue Service Matters

The FBU keep Members of Parliament updated with the issues and challenges facing the UK’s firefighters through its Fire and Rescue Service Matters parliamentary bulletin.

Fire and Rescue Service Matters

Defend workers’ rights

The government is hastily pushing its flawed Trade Union Bill through parliament. The Bill is the biggest raft of attacks on workers’ rights since the 1980s.

This government was elected with just 37% of the vote and the support of just 24% of the electorate. Yet they want to impose thresholds on our ballot.

Defend workers’ rights

Firefighters and emergency control staff are at risk of losing their FBU membership if they do not make the switch to pay their union subs by direct debit. As a result of the government’s Trade Union Bill the method by which most members pay their subs, check-off, will be abolished.

Don’t let them silence you. Make the switch today.

Switch to Direct Debit

Flooding duty

England is now the only nation in the U.K. where firefighters are not given a statutory duty to respond to flooding incidents.

The FBU argues that a statutory duty for firefighters to attend floods would help fire and rescue services, other emergency services and the government as a whole to plan effectively and reduce risk to life and property. Such a duty has already been adopted in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Flooding duty

Hands off our pensions

Before 2010, firefighters already contributed one of the highest proportions of their salary towards their pensions (11%), and in April this year it increased for the third year running.

The government has increased contribution costs for firefighters for the third year running rising to more than £4,000 a year from a salary of around £29,000.

Hands off our pensions

Local campaigns

Firefighters from across the UK are campaigning to protect their local fire and rescue services, many of which are on the receiving end of record funding cuts as a result of government imposed austerity.

You can find a selection of some of the campaigns being run by FBU branches from across the UK.

Local campaigns

The Fire Brigades Union is the democratic, professional voice of firefighters and other workers within fire and rescue services across the UK.

Latest News

Video: Consultation continues on firefighter pay

West Country firefighters support brave Grenfell colleagues

FBU: Solidaridad to firefighters in wake of Barcelona terror attack