Over the summer, firefighters control were struggling to take toilet breaks because there weren't enough staff to keep up with the calls. FBU regional treasurer for Wales, Gemma Thomas, spoke to the Senedd this week about the urgent need for investment in FRS control rooms.

🚨 Off the back of the wildfire summit that the FBU called for, the government has allocated £45 million to building wildfire resilience. This includes providing specialist wildfire PPE, better land management and specialist equipment to assist in tackling the blazes.

Politicians and the public must understand that aerial support and banning disposable BBQs alone will not make the UK wildfire resilient. Firefighters need the resources, training and numbers to prevent and respond to these incidents properly. @UnionSteveW on BBC One Breakfast.

Severe drought is limiting firefighters' access to water, while drier ground is increasing the risk of rapid flash flooding. The FBU is calling for a statutory duty for flood response in England and sustained investment in the fire service. FBU general secretary Steve Wright on Times Radio.

🚨 This summer, firefighters attended a devastating wildfire in Stourbridge, West Midlands, that destroyed 19 homes. Now, West Midlands FRS is proposing to cut frontline cover from 14 stations across: 📍 Birmingham 📍 Coventry 📍 Solihull 📍 Sandwell 📍 Walsall 📍 Wolverhampton

When people dial 999, they expect a quick and fully resourced response, not to be told their local station has been closed or downgraded. These proposals by West Midlands FRS, to cut cover across 14 stations, will put lives at risk.

We have backed the flood task force but we need a statutory duty for firefighters to attend flooding events in England so we can make ourselves more resilient. fbu.org.uk/news/2026/10/12/f…

George Arthur Roberts was the first Black man in the UK to serve as a firefighter in Britain during wartime. In 1919 he became heavily involved with the post-war welfare of soldiers. He led thousands of ex-servicemen in a march demanding improved rights and higher pensions. After the war, he settled in South London, where he faced pervasive racism. In response, in 1931 he became one of the founding members of the League of Coloured Peoples, one of the first organisations to focus on the needs of Britain’s Black community. Aged 50 at the start of WW2, he joined the Auxiliary Fire Service and was stationed at New Cross fire station in South East London, where he served throughout the Blitz and the rest of the war. In 2016, a Blue Plaque was erected in his honour, as the first Black man to serve in the army and fire brigade. The plaque is on the Lewis Trust Dwellings in Warner Road, Camberwell.

Liam Gardiner, a devoted dad, husband and firefighter, has sadly lost his life in tragic circumstances. He leaves behind his wife, Hayley, and their son, Archie. Liam was a retained crew manager at Hadleigh Fire Station and a wholetime, day crewed firefighter in Suffolk. Help support Liam's son Archie as he grows up. Donate to their family in the thread. #WeRemember Liam Gardiner

Last week, FBU B&EMM came together for their school, marking the beginning of Black History Month. Members discussed the distinct challenges and systemic barriers that they face within the fire service. Solidarity to all B&EMM members, and we look forward to next year's school.

Today is the 90th anniversary of The Battle of Cable Street where local Jewish groups, communists, socialists and Irish dockers among others prevented Oswald Mosley’s British Union of Fascists marching through the London East End in 1936.

#WeRemember Stephen Neill, who lost his life in the line of duty on the 1st of October 1978. Stephen was killed when a wall collapsed while attempting to rescue another firefighter during a major warehouse fire at The Granary, St. Pancras Way.

The FBU has won resounding support at Labour Party conference for the recruitment of 5000 firefighters and the introduction of nationally recognised wildfire training.