Union highlights lack of wildfire PPE
The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has warned that firefighters tackling wildfires across the UK were deployed without specialist personal protective equipment.
According to the FBU, recent wildfires in Edinburgh, North Yorkshire and Holt Heath in Dorset exposed gaps in equipment and training across services.
The union reported that the Holt Heath fire drew resources from 17 fire and rescue services, including Avon, Dorset and Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
It said that many crews attended without lightweight wildfire PPE.
The union added that some firefighters had only received online training or none at all before being sent into wildfire conditions.
Increased risks to firefighter safety
The FBU stated that the absence of specialist PPE forced crews to make unsafe choices in extreme heat.
It warned that firefighters faced elevated risks of heat stroke, exhaustion and burns during extended wildfire deployments.
According to the union, some crews removed heavier structural PPE to reduce overheating, leaving their skin exposed.
It said that this demonstrated the urgent requirement for national standards on equipment and training.
Call for investment and national standards
Adam Taylor, Fire Brigades Union national officer, said: “Wildfires are increasingly a fact of life in many areas now that our climate is rapidly heating, but too often firefighters are not being provided with the basic equipment and training they need to keep themselves and the public safe.
“Without proper PPE, firefighters face an impossible choice between heat stroke and exposing themselves to burns, either from flames or the sun.
“We urgently need investment to sort out this problem. We also need national standards on equipment and training, as well as response times and crewing levels.
“Labour promised to safeguard workers’ rights and to rebuild fire service standards – it’s time for this government to deliver.”
Concerns from firefighters on deployment
Harry Brant, FBU Leicestershire brigade secretary, said: “We are proud of the six firefighters who were deployed from Leicestershire to help tackle the wildfire at Holt Heath.
“But it is not ideal that they were sent without access to proper wildfire PPE to aid them in the arduous conditions they faced.
“Without lightweight wildfire PPE, firefighters face an increased risk of heatstroke, burns and exhaustion.
“Our members travelled more than a hundred miles – the least they deserve is the tools they need to keep themselves and the public safe.
“We need national standards, so that all firefighters can go to work knowing they will have the right equipment, wherever they are working.”
FBU warns of impact from proposed cuts
The Fire Brigades Union has also criticised government plans to cut fire and rescue service budgets.
It said the decision comes just over a year after Labour took office.
The union warned that the reductions could lead to the loss of 2,300 firefighter jobs across the UK.
It explained that the cuts followed a below-inflation funding settlement for 2025–26.
Fire service capacity and climate pressures
The National Fire Chiefs Council has modelled a funding gap of £102m, equal to around 1,500 firefighter posts, not including London or rural services.
The FBU said that including those areas would increase the figure to 2,300 posts at risk.
It added that the service has already lost 12,000 firefighter roles since 2010, equating to one in five.
According to the union, response times have lengthened and in some locations fire engines are mobilised without the full five-person crews needed to manage incidents safely.
It noted that these reductions come as climate-driven risks increase.
The union pointed to more frequent wildfires, floods and extreme weather across the UK, with around 900 wildfire incidents already recorded this year, surpassing 2022 totals.
FBU response to government proposals
Steve Wright, Fire Brigades Union general secretary, said: “It is simply disgraceful that the government is imposing cuts on this scale, having come to power promising change. The fire service is already on its knees after 15 years of austerity.
“Cuts to the emergency services will cost lives. It is a matter of time until someone dies – either because we don’t have the resources to reach them in time, or because cuts mean firefighters are being put in harm’s way.
“The UK has a record number of billionaires. The average FTSE 100 CEO takes three days to earn a firefighter’s whole annual salary. There is a clear alternative – introduce a wealth tax, rebuild our public services, and create an economy for workers.
“Time is running out for Labour to demonstrate that it can provide a meaningful alternative to Tory austerity. The government must think again about these cuts.”
Relevance for fire and safety professionals
For fire and safety professionals, the concerns raised by the FBU highlight operational risks and long-term challenges in the UK.
The absence of proper PPE and consistent training standards affects frontline safety during wildfire deployments.
At the same time, planned staffing cuts threaten the ability of services to maintain response levels while climate-related emergencies grow in scale and frequency.
The issues identified by the union emphasise the need for clear national standards, sustainable funding and policy measures that align resources with increasing demands.
FBU raises concerns over PPE shortages and budget cuts in UK fire services: Summary
The Fire Brigades Union has reported that firefighters in the UK were sent to wildfires without specialist PPE.
The union said some crews had only received limited or no training.
It stated that firefighters faced increased risks of heat stroke, burns and exhaustion.
The FBU called for national standards on equipment, training, crewing and response times.
The union also warned that government budget cuts could remove 2,300 firefighter posts.
It said this followed a below-inflation funding settlement for 2025–26.
The National Fire Chiefs Council has projected a £102m funding shortfall, excluding London and rural services.
The FBU noted that the service has already lost 12,000 firefighter jobs since 2010.
It said response times have lengthened and fire engines are sometimes mobilised with fewer than five crew members.
The union warned that cuts come as wildfire, flood and extreme weather incidents rise across the UK.