Latest news with #PhilGarrigan
The Guardian
6 days ago
- Business
- The Guardian
Fire stations in England ‘falling apart' amid £1bn funding cut, chiefs say
Fire stations in England are 'falling apart', fire chiefs have warned, with funding plummeting by an estimated £1bn in the last decade as callouts have increased by a fifth. Fire and rescue must not become the 'forgotten emergency service', the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) urged, warning of mounting pressures that 'risk undermining public and firefighter safety', as it responds to more 999 calls with fewer firefighters. The call comes before the government's spending review next week, in which the chancellor, Rachel Reeves, has promised to support the NHS and increase defence budgets. Fire services have not been mentioned, leading to concern that they will be forgotten, according to the NFCC, which represents the heads of fire services across the UK. Firefighter numbers in England have dropped by a quarter in seven years, the equivalent of 11,000 full-time staff, according to the government's workforce statistics. There has also been an estimated £1bn shortfall in capital funding since the previous government removed a significant grant in 2014-15, which the NFCC said meant services could not maintain or modernise ageing infrastructure, including fire stations. Failing to reverse this damage could endanger the public and firefighters, said Phil Garrigan, the NFCC chair. The inquest into the deaths of two firefighters and a member of the public in a blaze in Oxfordshire opened on Tuesday. The firefighters, Jennie Logan, 30, and Martyn Sadler, 38, are thought to have died when a structure collapsed on them at a Bicester business park during a large fire on 15 May. Two other firefighters are still in hospital. The financial challenges are being tackled at the same time as demand for fire and rescue services in England is growing. Government figures show officers responded to 600,185 incidents in the year up to December 2024, a 20% increase compared with a decade ago. While the number of fires has fallen by 11%, non-fire callouts have increased by 65%, data from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) shows. In 2022, the services dealt with a record number of wildfires but 2025 appears likely to beat that, with 225 wildfires tackled so far, compared with 106 over the same period in 2022. Garrigan said: 'These figures are unequivocal: fire and rescue services are busier now than they were 10 years ago, and we are taking on more responsibility, not less. The risks faced are now more challenging and more complex. Despite this fact, we are seeing firefighter numbers falling, whereas all other public services are seeing their numbers return to pre-austerity levels.' He said firefighters' work was 'crucial in maintaining public safety and we welcome the opportunity to make a real difference but, if it is to be sustained against a backdrop of increasing demand, we need to see investment back into the fire and rescue service'. He added: 'If we leave fire and rescue services without proper financial support and investment, we risk undermining public and firefighter safety. When it comes to wildfires, flooding and terrorism, fire and rescue services are right at the heart of the response. If we fail to invest, then we need to be prepared to answer to the communities that rely on these services in their greatest time of need.' Earlier this year, the NFCC called on ministers to take urgent action to protect communities from the effects of climate breakdown, saying the UK was not prepared. The organisation said fire services' ability to tackle weather-related emergencies was at risk, despite them often being the main frontline response to major weather events including flooding, fires caused by heatwaves, and storm-related emergencies, all of which are becoming more frequent. An MHCLG spokesperson said: 'We understand the challenges that fire services are facing, and despite the inheritance this government has been left with, we are determined to deliver better public services through our plan for change. 'Fire and rescue authorities have received almost £3bn in the last financial year to support our brave firefighters and help them protect our communities.'
Time of India
21-04-2025
- Climate
- Time of India
UK wildfires push records in first four months of 2025
Firefighters tackle a wildfire in the Mourne Mountains, County Down, Northern Ireland (AFP) LONDON: More than 110 wildfires have raged in the UK since the start of the year, according to satellite data released Monday, making it one of the worst years on record. At least 111 fires have torched an area of nearly 24,500 hectares (94 square miles) across the country since January 1, according to data Monday from the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS). The number of wildfires and area affected by them is higher than average for this time of the year, and higher than the same period in 2024. Only 2019 was worse in terms of the area burned (28,700 hectares) and 2022 for the number of fires (151) for the same period, according to the Press Association news agency. Last week, the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) said fire and rescue services had already responded to 380 wildfires so far this year in England and Wales -- more than double the same period in 2022. The EFFIS data is based on satellite readings and only maps fires that are 30 hectares or larger -- accounting for the difference with records from the local authority. In comparison, the NFCC measures wildfires with an area of at least one hectare. "A particularly dry March, followed by warmer-than-average temperatures in April, has seen a number of significant wildfires across the UK over the last fortnight," the NFCC said in a statement. The UK and Ireland had a "drier than average" March, according to Europe's Copernicus climate monitor. Last month was also the hottest March ever recorded in Europe by a significant margin. "With the increase in extreme weather events, we know that fire and rescue services are stretched as they seek to keep their communities safe," said NFCC chair Phil Garrigan. The Met Office said the fires are due to dry and breezy conditions in spring which came after a damp winter, meaning there was "fuel" for the blazes because of plant growth. Firefighters in Northern Ireland have been battling dozens of blazes in the last week, with many residents having to evacuate homes and a weather warning for wildfires. The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) said it attended 296 wildfires between April 3-10, many of which were thought to be started deliberately. An "extreme" wildfire warning was issued for Scotland on Friday and Saturday, after multiple blazes broke out the previous week. According to Michael Humphreys from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS), wetter weather last year meant fewer blazes in 2024.
Jordan Times
14-04-2025
- Climate
- Jordan Times
UK wildfires push records in first four months of 2025
LONDON — More than 110 wildfires have raged in the UK since the start of the year, according to satellite data released Monday, making it one of the worst years on record. At least 111 fires have torched an area of nearly 24,500 hectares across the country since January 1, according to data Monday from the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS). The number of wildfires and area affected by them is higher than average for this time of the year, and higher than the same period in 2024. Only 2019 was worse in terms of the area burned (28,700 hectares) and 2022 for the number of fires (151) for the same period, according to the Press Association news agency. Last week, the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) said fire and rescue services had already responded to 380 wildfires so far this year in England and Wales -- more than double the same period in 2022. The EFFIS data is based on satellite readings and only maps fires that are 30 hectares or larger -- accounting for the difference with records from the local authority. In comparison, the NFCC measures wildfires with an area of at least one hectare. "A particularly dry March, followed by warmer-than-average temperatures in April, has seen a number of significant wildfires across the UK over the last fortnight," the NFCC said in a statement. The UK and Ireland had a "drier than average" March, according to Europe's Copernicus climate monitor. Last month was also the hottest March ever recorded in Europe by a significant margin. "With the increase in extreme weather events, we know that fire and rescue services are stretched as they seek to keep their communities safe," said NFCC chair Phil Garrigan. The Met Office said the fires are due to dry and breezy conditions in spring which came after a damp winter, meaning there was "fuel" for the blazes because of plant growth. Firefighters in Northern Ireland have been battling dozens of blazes in the last week, with many residents having to evacuate homes and a weather warning for wildfires. The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) said it attended 296 wildfires between April 3-10, many of which were thought to be started deliberately. An "extreme" wildfire warning was issued for Scotland on Friday and Saturday, after multiple blazes broke out the previous week. According to Michael Humphreys from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS), wetter weather last year meant fewer blazes in 2024.
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Don't light a BBQ this Easter, fire service warns
Fire chiefs urged the public not to light barbecues over Easter amid a risk of wildfires. Surrey's Fire and Rescue Service said barbecues should be left at home and exchanged for picnics following a period of warm, dry weather across the country. It comes after fires broke out in parts of the UK this month, with an 'extreme' wildfire warning in place for the whole of Scotland. Fire alerts have been issued for London, Surrey and Yorkshire. Red pollen alerts were also issued in every English region barring the North East, with birch and ash tree pollen the main cause. While temperatures are expected to drop from Sunday, fire chiefs have urged the public to stay vigilant and exercise caution when enjoying the remainder of the sunshine. Matt Oakley, of the Surrey Fire and Rescue Service, said: 'It's very much an issue that's here to stay. 'Wildfires are easy to start, and spread very quickly, often through BBQs not being extinguished properly or bonfires burning garden waste, which then leads to embers igniting vegetation.' According to the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC), fire and rescue services in England and Wales have responded to 380 wildfires so far this year – more than double the number for the same period in 2022, which went on to be a record year. Phil Garrigan, the NFCC chairman, said: 'We want people to enjoy this lovely weather, we are just asking that they take extra care. 'One inconsiderate action or small mistake can have huge consequences when it comes to wildfires, so we are asking that people follow this important advice so that they can keep themselves and everyone else safe.' From next week, temperatures are expected to drop to the mid teens. The Met Office said that with the change in weather 'meteorologically, we're moving away from the conditions that have led to the wildfires taking place over the last 10 days or so'. Grahame Madge, a spokesman for the Met Office, said: 'Conditions will obviously be changing given the unsettled nature, so we'll be transitioning to the cooler conditions and some rainfall, which will further suppress any risks of wildfire.' This is 'not in any way dreadful weather. It's just going to be a change from what we've experienced', he added. 'If you can avoid the showers, then it will still be nice.' There is also a chance of thunderstorms over the weekend across the South West and western Wales. It is looking to be rainier than last month, when historically low rainfall saw England have its sixth driest March since records began in 1836. The Royal Life Saving Society UK has urged the public to be safe around water if taking a dip while the warm weather lasts. Research from the charity found that when temperatures reach 21C to 22.9C – some 2.5 times as many drownings occur each day, in comparison to cooler days. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
12-04-2025
- Climate
- Telegraph
Don't light a BBQ this Easter, fire service warns
Fire chiefs urged the public not to light barbecues over Easter amid a risk of wildfires. Surrey's Fire and Rescue Service said barbecues should be left at home and exchanged for picnics following a period of warm, dry weather across the country. It comes after fires broke out in parts of the UK this month, with an 'extreme' wildfire warning in place for the whole of Scotland. Fire alerts have been issued for London, Surrey and Yorkshire. Red pollen alerts were also issued in every English region barring the North East, with birch and ash tree pollen the main cause. While temperatures are expected to drop from Sunday, fire chiefs have urged the public to stay vigilant and exercise caution when enjoying the remainder of the sunshine. Matt Oakley, of the Surrey Fire and Rescue Service, said: 'It's very much an issue that's here to stay. 'Wildfires are easy to start, and spread very quickly, often through BBQs not being extinguished properly or bonfires burning garden waste, which then leads to embers igniting vegetation.' According to the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC), fire and rescue services in England and Wales have responded to 380 wildfires so far this year – more than double the number for the same period in 2022, which went on to be a record year. Phil Garrigan, the NFCC chairman, said: 'We want people to enjoy this lovely weather, we are just asking that they take extra care. 'One inconsiderate action or small mistake can have huge consequences when it comes to wildfires, so we are asking that people follow this important advice so that they can keep themselves and everyone else safe.' Temperatures set to drop From next week, temperatures are expected to drop to the mid teens. The Met Office said that with the change in weather 'meteorologically, we're moving away from the conditions that have led to the wildfires taking place over the last 10 days or so'. Grahame Madge, a spokesman for the Met Office, said: 'Conditions will obviously be changing given the unsettled nature, so we'll be transitioning to the cooler conditions and some rainfall, which will further suppress any risks of wildfire.' This is 'not in any way dreadful weather. It's just going to be a change from what we've experienced', he added. 'If you can avoid the showers, then it will still be nice.' A chance of thunderstorms There is also a chance of thunderstorms over the weekend across the South West and western Wales. It is looking to be rainier than last month, when historically low rainfall saw England have its sixth driest March since records began in 1836. The Royal Life Saving Society UK has urged the public to be safe around water if taking a dip while the warm weather lasts. Research from the charity found that when temperatures reach 21C to 22.9C – some 2.5 times as many drownings occur each day, in comparison to cooler days.
