“Fire and rescue services are severely under-resourced and overstretched. In the last decade, we have lost 1 in 5 firefighters to cuts.”
Steve Wright, FBU General Secretary
The Fire Brigades Union says that firefighters are pushed “far beyond safe limits” responding to a huge number of calls on bonfire night without the resources needed.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service reported responding to over 700 calls yesterday.
The London Fire Brigade reported responding to the highest number of bonfire night calls since 2016 this year, receiving 821 calls on 5 November.
Attacks on firefighters also see an increase on bonfire night. Incidents this year included a crew of firefighters in Merseyside being attacked with fireworks while fighting a tower block fire.
Fire Brigades Union general secretary Steve Wright said:
“Firefighters are humanitarian workers, dedicated to saving lives. The last thing they need while fighting fires on the busiest night of the year is to come under attack.
“Fire and rescue services are severely under-resourced and overstretched. In the last decade, we have lost 1 in 5 firefighters to cuts. This means that fewer firefighters are responding to more incidents, and are pushed far beyond safe limits during periods like bonfire night.
“Cuts to fire and rescue service’s community outreach, and the axing of youth centres and services, are contributing to this chaos. The government must reverse austerity and fund public services to keep firefighters, and the public, safe.”
- This article was originally published by the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) on 6 November 2025.
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