‘National priority’ to equip UK firefighters amid growing wildfire threat
The Fire Brigades Union is calling for increased funding and resources as UK firefighters face an unprecedented surge in wildfires and extreme weather events. Internal data shows a significant rise in emergency calls, highlighting the strain climate change is placing on emergency services.
Why it matters
The report underscores the growing operational challenges faced by public services due to the climate crisis and the urgent need for infrastructure adaptation.
A firefighter tackels a blaze on Tintwistle Moor. A firefighter tackels a blaze on Tintwistle Moor. Firefighters ‘National priority’ to equip UK firefighters amid growing wildfire threat Exclusive: FBU calls for more funding as ‘unprecedented summer’ puts rising demands on already stretched crews
Prefer the Guardian on Google Firefighters in the UK are under increased pressure as a result of an “unprecedented summer of dangerous and volatile wildfires”, the Fire Brigades Union has said, as many parts of the country brace for a fifth heatwave of the year.
As authorities declared almost three-quarters of England was now in drought, Steve Wright, the FBU general secretary, said the unpredictable environmental challenges the UK was now confronted with meant it was a “national priority” to have enough properly equipped firefighters to “face these threats”.
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