Responding to today’s Spending Review, National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) Chair, Phil Garrigan, said:

“Today’s Spending Review makes no direct mention of fire and rescue services and that is concerning. Our communities already understand that firefighters are on the frontline response to every major incident our country faces, and we need government to recognise that too.

“We have seen prolonged disinvestment in fire and rescue services over many years. The reality of this is that we now have 11,000 fewer firefighters than we did a decade ago. We have fire stations that are falling apart, and we have a big challenge in delivering consistency across services.

“If we are to continue to keep communities safe and do justice to the incredible work of fire and rescue staff, there must a fundamental shift in how we value this service at a national level.

“Our financial position is uncertain, but we are committed to working with the Fire Minister and our hope is that fire and rescue services will be supported through the broader settlement for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government”.

ENDS

Notes to editors

• Further information about the financial challenge facing fire and rescue services can be found here.
• Firefighter numbers have fallen in England by 25% since 2008, the equivalent of 11,000 wholetime firefighters. FRS workforce stats are available here.  Wholetime is a specific term to FRSs – it means it is their main job and that they are permanently based at a fire station (as opposed to on call).
• The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) is a charity and an independent membership association and the professional voice of the UK Fire and Rescue Service. NFCC supports fire and rescue services to help them to save lives and keep their local communities safe.