South West Region of the Fire Brigades Union

23/10/2026

21/10/2026

20/10/2026

15/10/2026

🚨 This summer, firefighters attended a devastating wildfire in Stourbridge, West Midlands, that destroyed 19 homes.

Now, West Midlands FRS is proposing to cut frontline cover from 14 stations across:
📍 Birmingham
📍 Coventry
📍 Solihull
📍 Sandwell
📍 Walsall
📍 Wolverhampton

Proposals include the closure and relocation of Ward End Fire Station, the removal of night-time cover from stations at Bloxwich, Willenhall and Kings Norton, and a reduction in overnight availability from second pumps at up to 11 further stations.

14/10/2026

14/10/2026

Today, FBU officials met ministers at the Flood and Drought Resilience Taskforce, where we demanded a statutory duty for firefighters to respond to flooding in England.

Urgent investment is needed to ensure firefighters have the right equipment, training, and resources to keep the public safe during flooding.

13/10/2026

🚒 It takes nearly 10 minutes on average for a fire engine to reach you in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

This is the impact of the Tories gutting the fire service and cutting 12,000 firefighter posts from 2010.

Chris Wycherley, FBU EC member for southern region says "Central government funding for our local FRS is vital if we are to prepare adequately for future wildfires and to increase our ability as firefighters to respond promptly to emergencies."

12/10/2026

Another positive meeting with Labour Unions and the Prime Minister at Downing Street today.

I raised the importance of the 2027 Spending Review and the need for trade unions to help shape the country’s future. We need proper investment to rebuild public services after years of underfunding, including the fire and rescue service.

I also spoke to the PM about the upcoming National Wildfire Summit, the growing risks from extreme weather and flooding, and the need to strengthen our response to the threats facing our communities.

We need more firefighters, the right equipment and proper resources to keep people safe. The PM clearly recognises the challenges we face, and the Fire Brigades Union will continue working with government and others to secure the investment and changes needed to protect communities and strengthen national resilience.

12/10/2026

The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has today backed a new flood task force alongside demanding a statutory duty for fire and rescue services in England to attend flooding events.