Data obtained by the Fire Brigades Union has revealed that, so far this July, an average of 23 of London’s fire engines have been unavailable every day due to understaffing. This amounts to around one in every six of London’s 142 fire engines.
A peak of 28 fire engines were unavailable on July 16th. London’s only fireboat, essential for river rescue and fighting fires, has been unavailable for 13 shifts this month. These figures only include appliances ‘off the run’ (unavailable) because of a lack of firefighters.
The revelations come on the anniversary of the 2022 London wildfires, and follow the release of the London Fire Brigade’s Major Incident Review into the events of 19th July that year. (1)
On this date, the hottest day since records began, there were 822 fire engine mobilisations. 39 fire engines were unavailable due to understaffing as fires spread across Greater London, destroying 18 homes in Wennington. The LFB’s report acknowledges that this likely resulted in slower response times, an inability to provide adequate resources or firefighter numbers.
Since 2010, London has lost 1,388 firefighters including control staff, 10 fire stations and 26 fire appliances to cuts. (2)
Matt Wrack, Fire Brigades Union general secretary said:
“One year on from the devastation of last summer’s wildfires, cuts are still leaving the fire service unprepared. This is putting lives and homes at risk. Londoners should be furious that in the capital city of one of the richest countries in the world, firefighter numbers have been cut so badly that more than 20 fire engines are sitting idle every day. This is a disaster waiting to happen again.
“As we continue to face the impact of the climate emergency, we will continue to face an increasing number of wildfires and extreme weather events. We need a UK-wide wildfire strategy, but above all we need proper investment and funding for the fire service. Building resilience starts with having enough firefighters on the frontline.”
Jon Lambe, FBU London regional secretary said:
“London’s firefighters are protecting lives under immense, unsustainable pressure. Since 2010, we’ve seen over 1,100 London frontline firefighters lost to cuts. Fire engines are left empty in stations because there are not enough firefighters to crew them.
“The Major Incident Review acknowledges that this hampered the fire service’s response to last summer’s wildfires. It is shocking that we are still seeing up to 28 fire engines unavailable a day a year on. We need serious investment to ensure firefighters can save people’s homes and lives across the capital.”
