Firefighter deaths on increase

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The Fire Brigades Union said at least 22 firefighters had died while on duty since 2003, significantly more than the previous five years, including eight last year, the worst figure since 1985.

The figures include an increase in the number of deaths while tackling fires, said the union, adding that the profession had become more dangerous.

General secretary Matt Wrack said he was "shocked" by the figures, urging the Government to take immediate action to improve safety.

The union claimed there was a "policy vacuum" on firefighter safety from central Government and said firefighters had tackled serious incidents in recent years without adequate assessments of the risks.

A report commissioned by the FBU from the Labour Research Department said crewing levels were not high enough in Greater Manchester, Cambridgeshire, West Sussex, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire and Somerset.

Training for responses to emergencies was insufficient, with courses cancelled or using "inadequate" methods and materials, it was claimed.

Mr Wrack said: "I knew firefighter deaths were increasing, but I am horrified at the rate by which they are increasing, and there is no comprehensive, consistent, UK-wide system for recording firefighter deaths.

"The causes of firefighter deaths can all be changed, if the government really wants to change them, but it will only be done by a government that values its firefighters.

"At the moment, according to a survey we released last month, more than eight out of 10 firefighters do not believe that the government values them. Can you blame them, when their safety appears not to be a high government priority?"