Over 11,200 firefighters cut in 10yrs
THE UK has lost more than 11,200 firefighters in a decade of Tory austerity cuts – a drop of 19%.
The Fire Brigades Union warns services are not ready to tackle modern challenges including climate change, terrorism and the post- Grenfell building safety crisis.
The FBU’s study found some services have had to send out engines with just three firefighters rather than the required five.
And it wants funding for at least 5,000 more firefighters in the next year.
General secretary Matt Wrack said: “Firefighters are an all-hazards emergency service protecting the UK from major threats.
“We need 5,000 new firefighters immediately to repair some of the damage austerity has done.”