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Firefighters tackling a wildfire on Winter Hill near Bolton, summer 2018
FIREFIGHTERS in Greater Manchester are urging the public to help resist the proposed closure of six fire stations across the region.
The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has asked people to message Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham and local MPs to demand that the proposals to close down the stations are scrapped and to call for more money from central government.
It is estimated that 100 staff and nine engines will be lost as a result of Greater Manchester Combined Authority’s proposals to save £9 million on its budget.
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