On this day in 2022, 17 firefighters died in the Matanzas oil storage facility explosion in Cuba. Cuban Ambassador Ismara Mercedes Vargas Walter has joined us at FBU head office to launch the 'Firefighters for Cuba' t-shirt, marking the anniversary of this tragic incident.

Kent fire and rescue service plan to cut the frontline while the rest of the UK burns. The FBU will fight every station closure, every appliance removed and every job they try to axe. Firefighters duty is to protect the public, and that’s exactly what FBU members are doing. Cuts kill!

With over 700 wildfires raging across the UK since the start of 2026, Kent FRS are proposing cuts to firefighters, stations and appliances. FBU members will rally outside Kent County Council tomorrow to demand that these proposals are scrapped.

It was only last week that we were paying tribute to the two French firefighters who lost their lives battling a forest fire near Bordeaux. Now, just seven days later, three more firefighters in Greece have lost their lives tackling wildfires.

#WeRemember firefighter Hector Keeley, who lost his life in the line of duty on this day in 1950. At the time of his death, Hector had been a firefighter for 20 years. He attended many incidents, including fires during the Blitz in London.

A decade of Tory austerity axed 12,000 frontline firefighters. Now wildfires are surging, and we don't have the crews to fight them safely. We need 5,000 more firefighters now. The FBU is urging government to convene a National Wildfire Summit to build national resilience.

FBU members turned out for Belfast Pride over the weekend. While the day was one of pride and celebration, we were deeply saddened to learn of the attack on Pride in Berlin on the same day.

July is on course to be the driest in nearly 200 years, with droughts declared across Wales. The Met Office has predicted that UK summers will be 60% drier by 2070. And yet there aren't enough firefighters to deal with faster-growing and more frequent wildfires.

🚨 Firefighters are battling a huge wildfire on the Isle of Wight, with mainland crews travelling across the Solent to assist. This is why we need a UK-wide strategy on how we deal with wildfires. Firefighters deserve real investment and national standards to respond to incidents like these safely.

Over 40,000 hectares burned in UK wildfires last year. The last few weeks have shown the strain UK fire services are under. Major incidents declared in North Wales and Derbyshire. Further wildfires tackled across the UK from Scotland to Sussex.

#WeRemember Adam Meere and Billy Faust who lost their lives in the line of duty 22 years ago today. Firefighters from Whitechapel Fire Station, Adam and Billy, were tragically killed while fighting a fire in Bethnal Green, after rescuing another man.

Hotter summers mean higher stakes. FBU rep, Liam Jones, talks about responding to the Tintwistle Moor wildfire in the latest FBU podcast. "We can have specialist equipment standing by doing nothing, because we don't have the resources to staff them."

Climate change is here. Is our resilience? In 2013, wildfires were listed on the government risk register but there's still no UK wide strategy for how we respond. We’re calling for an emergency summit on wildfires. We need investment and national standards now.

Firefighters are tackling 19 wildfires across England and Wales. The Tintwistle Moor wildfire has burnt an equivalent of 350 football pitches. Now is the time for immediate and substantial investment in the fire service. We must rebuild resilience to properly protect firefighters and the public.

7 year old Zane Gbangbola died in 2014 when floodwater passed through landfill into his home. Surrey FRS detected high levels of hydrogen cyanide from the incident. Today, the government has announced an inquiry into Zane's death. This inquiry must be thorough and transparent.

FBU members marched last Saturday to celebrate workers and honour the miners and their struggle, 42 years ago. The past we inherit, the future we build ✊

🚨 NEW: The FBU executive council has unanimously agreed to nominate @andyburnham.bsky.social for Leader of the Labour Party.

Today marks 17 years since six people lost their lives at the Lakanal House fire. June 2027 will mark 10 years since 72 people lost their lives at the Grenfell Tower fire. Recent government data estimates more than 5,000 residential buildings over 11 metres still have unsafe cladding.

📢Pensions update! A settlement has been reached for RDS pensions claims. 👉Breaks in service of one month or less will now count as continuous service 👉Longer breaks can be recognised where members provide supporting evidence 88% of affected claimants benefit immediately.

FBU reps from across the union have gathered at the disability and neurodiversity course to strengthen understanding, share experiences and help build a more inclusive union. FBU general secretary Steve Wright joined delegates today, with regional secretary Karl Wager chairing the course.

FBU members are currently being balloted on the pay offer for 2026. Check your inbox for an email from Popularis. The offer is 3.8% increase on all basic pay rates and Continual Professional Development payments. The FBU executive council recommends that members vote to accept.

FBU members must cast their vote on the 2026 pay offer by 2 July. Check your inbox for an email from Popularis with a link to vote. If you have not yet received an email from Popularis, please contact FBU membership services.

Since 2010, Kent FRS has lost 462 firefighters. And yet, the service is proposing to cut a further 63 firefighter posts, 6 fire engines and 5 fire stations: 📍 Chilham 📍 Wye 📍 Cliffe 📍 Grain 📍 Westerham

FBU assistant general secretary, Ben Selby, has made a statement on the union's support of our members engaging in Pride events across the country. The Fire Brigades Union proudly stands in solidarity with our LGBT+ members this Pride.

Responding to the announcement by the Prime Minister of his resignation, FBU general secretary, Steve Wright said:

🚨NEW: FBU members in Dorset and Wiltshire have fought against cuts to 8 stations and 96 firefighter jobs. Months of campaigning has secured an 11.8% funding uplift, plus an additional £1.8m. The CFO has responded with a new proposal to keep every station open.

FBU general secretary, Steve Wright, attended a meeting on the Government’s proposed Duty of Candour legislation. This is about ensuring public bodies and institutions are transparent when things go wrong. Too often, families, survivors and communities have to fight for years to uncover the truth.

🎙️ NEW PODCAST | The 2026 Pay Offer Tam McFarlane sits down with FBU general secretary Steve Wright and assistant general secretary Ben Selby to discuss the 2026 pay offer, including NJC negotiations and pay reform. 🗳️ Electronic ballot: 15 June - 2 July

🚨 NEW | FBU general secretary Steve Wright, president Ian Murray, and assistant general secretary Ben Selby deliver a briefing on the 2026 pay offer. Watch the briefing and make an informed decision. The electronic ballot opens 15 June. 🔗 Link to the video in the thread

🔥 Questions on the 2026 pay offer? Tune in tomorrow at 6pm for a full briefing on... ✅️ Negotiations that led to the 2026 pay offer ✅️ Pay reform ✅️ The Executive Council's recommendation A link to the briefing will be posted on our socials.