Fire Brigades Union

Fire Brigades Union This is the official page of the Fire Brigades Union. We are the professional voice of firefighters and the fire and rescue service in the UK.

Promoted by the Fire Brigades Union, 171-173 Gray’s Inn Road, London, WC1X 8UE The Fire Brigades Union is the democratic, professional voice of firefighters in the UK. We have a proud history, and since our foundation in 1918 have helped create and develop the modern fire and rescue service. The highest decision making body in the FBU is conference, attended by representatives from across the UK. In between conferences, the union is administered by an Executive Council (EC). The EC is made up from a representative of every region and representatives of officers, control staff and retained firefighters. We aim to:
• Provide a leading, independent voice for firefighters that helps improves fire and rescue services
• Ensure the expertise and experience of our members is heard locally, nationally and internationally within government and beyond
• Protect the safety and interests of the public and our members, enabling them to enjoy a good quality of life, including by preventing cuts or damaging changes to fire and rescue services
• Improve the working conditions of our members and protect them from discrimination and unfair or illegal treatment by representing them in the workplace
• Help our members develop professionally by developing new and existing skills

George Arthur Roberts was the first Black man in the UK to serve as a firefighter in Britain during wartime.In 1919 he b...
09/10/2026

George Arthur Roberts was the first Black man in the UK to serve as a firefighter in Britain during wartime.

In 1919 he became heavily involved with the post-war welfare of soldiers. He led thousands of ex-servicemen in a march demanding improved rights and higher pensions.

After the war, he settled in South London, where he faced pervasive racism. In response, in 1931 he became one of the founding members of the League of Coloured Peoples, one of the first organisations to focus on the needs of Britain’s Black community.

Aged 50 at the start of WW2, he joined the Auxiliary Fire Service and was stationed at New Cross fire station in South East London, where he served throughout the Blitz and the rest of the war.

In 2016, a Blue Plaque was erected in his honour, as the first Black man to serve in the army and fire brigade. The plaque is on the Lewis Trust Dwellings in Warner Road, Camberwell.

Two weeks ago this Friday, our union alongside local politicians and serving firefighters were proud to unveil a Red Pla...
09/10/2026

Two weeks ago this Friday, our union alongside local politicians and serving firefighters were proud to unveil a Red Plaque in memory of James Jennings who tragically died in March 1985 after returning from an incident.

He started at Wolverhampton Fire and Ambulance Service in 1969 and transferred to West Midland Fire Service in 1974 where he worked until he passed.

National Officer Adam Taylor (pictured) spoke on behalf of FBU.

09/10/2026

The UK has lost 1 in 5 firefighter posts since 2010. Meanwhile, fire and rescue incidents have risen by 22% since 2015.

Now, firefighters are faced with 15 hour shifts, tackling wildfires without proper PPE or welfare facilities.

FBU general secretary Steve Wright on BBC file 4 investigates.

Liam Gardiner, a devoted dad, husband and firefighter, has sadly lost his life in tragic circumstances. He leaves behind...
08/10/2026

Liam Gardiner, a devoted dad, husband and firefighter, has sadly lost his life in tragic circumstances. He leaves behind his wife, Hayley, and their son, Archie.

Liam was a retained crew manager at Hadleigh Fire Station and a wholetime, day crewed firefighter in Suffolk.

Help support Liam's son Archie as he grows up. Donate to their family here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-liams-family-through-this-devastating-loss

Liam Gardiner

07/10/2026

The Stourbridge fire exposed what wildfire resilience looks like in the UK, after 19 homes were burnt to the ground.

Firefighters don't have the proper PPE, training or numbers to deal with this growing risk.

FBU general secretary Steve Wright on Channel 5 news.

Last week, Fire Brigades Union - Black & Ethnic Minority Members Section came together for their school, marking the beg...
07/10/2026

Last week, Fire Brigades Union - Black & Ethnic Minority Members Section came together for their school, marking the beginning of Black History Month.

Members discussed the distinct challenges and systemic barriers that they face within the fire service.

Solidarity to all B&EMM members, and we look forward to next year's school.

Gloucestershire County Council wants to strip nighttime fire cover to try and plaster over a £1.2m deficit.Meanwhile, te...
06/10/2026

Gloucestershire County Council wants to strip nighttime fire cover to try and plaster over a £1.2m deficit.

Meanwhile, tens of thousands of new homes are being built right next to Cheltenham.

The FBU is fighting against these cuts to keep firefighters and the public safe.

Gloucestershire FBU brigade secretary Ben Gwyer, chair Kate Yhnell, organiser Naomi Purvis, and rep Pete Kay met with general secretary Steve Wright, national officer Joe Weir, and EC member for region 13 Dave Roberts.

Today the FBU joined fellow trades unionists and other democrats to commemorate the 90th anniversary of The Battle of Ca...
04/10/2026

Today the FBU joined fellow trades unionists and other democrats to commemorate the 90th anniversary of The Battle of Cable Street where local Jewish groups, communists, socialists and Irish dockers among others prevented Oswald Mosley’s British Union of Fascists marching through the London East End in 1936.

03/10/2026

Firefighters cannot rely on heroics to keep our communities safe.

We need the equipment, training and investment to protect the public properly.

The FBU will take the support of Labour conference and continue to demand that wildfire resilience be front and centre of Andy Burnham’s plan to rewire the British state.

Today Alan Soards, a firefighter who died whilst carrying out water training on 2 October 2012.
02/10/2026

Today Alan Soards, a firefighter who died whilst carrying out water training on 2 October 2012.

Address

Ken Cameron House, 171-173 Gray’s Inn Road
London
WC1X8UE

Telephone

+442085411765

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