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Flood water in Loughborough, Leicestershire, January 7, 2025
FIREFIGHTERS demanded today that the government recognise and fund their vital role in responding to floods as Britain continues to face extreme weather this week.
Floods have spread across the country, with a major incident declared in Leicestershire at the beginning of the week
Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service received 200 calls on Monday morning alone. Firefighters recorded rescuing 59 members of the public in the county.
Since 2010, one in five firefighter jobs has disappeared alongside 30% funding cuts — all while climate breakdown brings record blazes and flooding. It’s time to fund our fire service properly, writes FBU general secretary STEVE WRIGHT
When it comes to extreme weather events, from wildfires to flash floods, it’s firefighters who are on the front line of defence, but services have been cut to the bone, and government is not taking seriously its responsibility for the environment, says STEVE WRIGHT