Firefighters’ Safety Must Not Become a Bargaining Chip, Union Warns...
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- 2 min read
25th July 2026
Cleveland firefighters have launched a campaign against proposed cost-cutting measures which union representatives warn could weaken emergency cover across Teesside and East Cleveland.
The Cleveland branch of the Fire Brigades Union has this week unanimously rejected a series of options being considered as Cleveland Fire Brigade attempts to address a projected funding shortfall of approximately £1.2 million by 2028/29.
The proposals include day-crewing a fire appliance at Thornaby Fire Station, limiting additional working hours, reviewing disturbance allowances and reconsidering the brigade’s current water-rescue arrangements.
Scheduled fire-cover arrangements could also be introduced across East Cleveland.
Under day-crewing arrangements, firefighters are normally based at a station during daytime hours, rather than the appliance being staffed on a conventional 24-hour shift system. The FBU fears that expanding this model could reduce the brigade’s ability to respond quickly and maintain sufficient resilience during major or simultaneous emergencies.
The union says that, should the current proposals fail to generate the required savings, further frontline appliances could potentially be moved onto day-crewing arrangements.
Cleveland Fire Brigade’s financial forecast reportedly assumes that the fire authority will increase its share of council tax by 4.99% in each future year. Any lower increase could leave the brigade facing an even larger funding gap.
While acknowledging the financial pressures facing the service, the union says it cannot support measures which could reduce frontline staffing or emergency-response capabilities.
James Sudron, Secretary of Cleveland Fire Brigades Union, said firefighters recognised the difficult financial position but warned that further reductions could place both members of the public and firefighters at risk.
“Any further reduction in frontline appliances and staffing risks undermining both public safety and firefighter safety,” he said.
The union claims Cleveland has already experienced substantial reductions in staffing and fire cover since 2010, with approximately one-third of its wholetime firefighter posts having been lost.
Mr Sudron said communities deserved a properly funded fire and rescue service and argued that firefighters’ safety, working conditions and ability to respond to incidents should not continue to be eroded.
“The Brigade Committee has unanimously rejected these proposals and will campaign vigorously for the funding our service needs,” he said.
“We are calling on local politicians, the Fire Authority and central government to work with us to secure a sustainable future for Cleveland Fire Brigade.”
The union is now seeking support from elected representatives and government ministers for additional funding intended to prevent further reductions in fire cover.
Its campaign is expected to focus on the possible consequences of reducing operational capacity across an area which includes Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Stockton, Redcar and Cleveland.
The FBU argues that firefighters’ terms, conditions and personal safety should not be treated as bargaining tools when savings are being considered.
“Our safety and terms and conditions should not be seen as a chip that can be bargained with,” the union said.
“We believe that this time, enough really is enough.”
