Fire stations across England are facing critical deterioration amid a drastic funding shortfall of approximately £1 billion over the past decade. Fire chiefs have raised alarms about the implications this reduction has for public safety and the well-being of firefighters. The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) emphasised that despite a significant increase in emergency callouts—rising by 20% in the last ten years—financial support for fire services has lagged woefully behind.
With the government nearing its spending review, the NFCC has called for recognition of the fire service, fearing it may become the "forgotten emergency service," overshadowed by substantial investments promised for the NHS and defence sectors. Phil Garrigan, the NFCC chair, pointed to alarming trends: a quarter of firefighter positions—an estimated 11,000 full-time staff—have vanished over the past seven years. He stated that the financial strain has not only hindered services from maintaining or upgrading aging infrastructures, such as fire stations, but has also exacerbated risks to both public and firefighter safety.
The NFCC's concerns come in the wake of a tragic incident in Oxfordshire where two firefighters, Jennie Logan and Martyn Sadler, tragically lost their lives during a fire. The inquest into their deaths underscores the harrowing dangers that firefighters face while responding to emergencies, which have been compounded by staffing declines amidst rising responsibilities.
Statistics from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) highlight a complex landscape: while the total number of fires has decreased by 11%, other non-fire incidents have surged. Services dealt with over 600,000 incidents in the year leading to December 2024, with a staggering 65% increase in non-fire callouts. Furthermore, 2025 is projected to surpass 2022 in wildfire responses, showcasing the growing challenges linked to climate change and extreme weather.
The ongoing strain is felt acutely in local areas. For instance, at Poole fire station, the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has raised concerns about the dangerous reduction in operational capacity—now a single crewed fire engine is on duty instead of two. This reduction is particularly alarming given the increased pressure on remaining crews and the potential for delays in response times, crucial during emergencies.
Moreover, recent data indicates a rise in fire response times, hitting a decade-high average of nine minutes and 13 seconds to primary fires. The FBU attributes this trend largely to the cuts in staffing and resources, arguing that the fire service is increasingly unable to cope with climate-related emergencies like wildfires without adequate investment.
In light of these pressures, the NFCC has urged the government for immediate action to ensure proper investment in fire and rescue services. They assert that without it, the safety of both the public and firefighters will be at increased risk during natural disasters and other emergencies.
While the NFCC has called for this renewed focus and support, local fire authorities, such as the Royal Berkshire Fire Authority, are also grappling with budget constraints, prompting proposals for a modest council tax increase to help maintain service quality amid ongoing financial pressures.
Local fire chiefs and unions are united in their call for action, warning that without significant governmental investment, the fire service's capability to respond effectively to emergencies will continue to decline, directly affecting community safety at a time when climate-related incidents are on the rise.
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Source: Noah Wire Services