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New London Fire Brigade recruits go through their paces during a drill at a Fire station in East London
A STRATEGIC review of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) cannot be a smokescreen for further cuts, the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) warned today.
Figures by the SFRS show that almost half its 356 fire stations are deemed to be in “poor or bad” condition, while two-thirds are more than 30 years old.
Fourteen fire stations also have issues with reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (Raac) panels and have had temporary supports installed to reinforce roofing.
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
The FBU is demanding 52 weeks of full pay for women firefighters, highlighting the unique health risks they face — and the continuing need to recruit and retain more women if policies like this are still not in place, writes SEONA HART
