@UnionSteveW

Proud Firefighter. General Secretary of the @fbunational, Son of a firefighter, Dad of a firefighter, Trade Unionist, #JoinAUnion

Joined February 2019
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689Media
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.
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🚨 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
"These proposals would put our members under greater pressure, leave fire crews covering larger areas with fewer resources, and put the public at risk. “This is not acceptable and the FBU will oppose the plans.”

ALT "These proposals would put our members under greater pressure, leave fire crews covering larger areas with fewer resources, and put the public at risk. “This is not acceptable and the FBU will oppose the plans.”

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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.
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Steve Wright retweeted
Labour Home
@LabourHome_Oct 14
🚒 Fire Brigades Union (@fbunational) general secretary Steve Wright (@UnionSteveW) has urged ministers to give fire and rescue services in England a legal duty to respond to major flooding. England is the only UK nation without one, and the union wants any new duty backed by enough firefighters, specialist kit and training. Read more 👇 labourhome.co.uk/steve_wrigh…
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Another positive meeting with @labourunionsuk and the Prime Minister at Downing Street today. I raised the importance of the 2027 Spending Review and the need for trade unions to help shape the country’s future. We need proper investment to rebuild public services after years of underfunding, including the fire and rescue service. I also spoke to the PM about the upcoming National Wildfire Summit, the growing risks from extreme weather and flooding, and the need to strengthen our response to the threats facing our communities. We need more firefighters, the right equipment and proper resources to keep people safe. The PM clearly recognises the challenges we face, and the @fbunational will continue working with government and others to secure the investment and changes needed to protect communities and strengthen national resilience.
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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…

FBU supports flood task force but calls for statutory duty in England

fbu.org.uk
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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.
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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
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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.
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The @Conservatives promised to prepare England for the growing threat of wildfires. They failed to deliver. This summer exposed just how badly prepared we are, with too many firefighters lacking the right PPE. share.google/V8FPUJZaJXtxrMT…

Revealed: Government quietly dropped plan to prepare England for wildfires

FOI request shows wildfire risk scheme scrapped, as data highlights many fire services lack proper protective gear

theguardian.com
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That failure cannot continue. For years, the Conservatives failed to take the growing threat of wildfires seriously. I welcome the @UKLabour government recognising the scale of the problem and agreeing to a wildfire summit
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We need to use it to fix what is broken and properly prepare for the future. The wildfire threat is growing, but our fire and rescue services have been cut back for years. Now we need action: more firefighters, the right PPE, proper training and resources we need to respond.
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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.
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#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.
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The FBU has won resounding support at Labour Party conference for the recruitment of 5000 firefighters and the introduction of nationally recognised wildfire training.
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FBU has given a statement in reaction to the Metropolitan Police submitting a Grenfell investigation file to the Crown Prosecution Service.
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Great speech from @UnionSteveW moving the FBU's motion on wildfires
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Last year we raised the alarm about firefighter numbers & the growing risk of wildfires This summer proved the warning was justified We need people, equipment, training & investment to meet the risks ahead Firefighters shouldn’t have to rely on heroics to keep people safe.
Fire Brigades Union
@fbunationalSep 30
Firefighters know what's coming. 2027 will bring bigger and more severe wildfires. We cannot wait for the next crisis to tell us we are not ready. Proper investment in the fire service is essential. The wildfire summit must deliver and prepare us for what comes next.
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Resilient public services cannot be built on fragmented ownership and private profit. It must be publicly owned, properly funded and accountable to the public. FBU national officer Adam Taylor speaking at Labour conference in support of #InsourceNow
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.@UnionSteveW from the @fbunational is spot on here. The Fire Service has been cut over the last several years & as wild fires become more frequent and more severe (because of climate change), its clear the fire brigade needs greater investment & more resources, not more cuts.
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