Cuts have hit fire services all over the country overburdening stations for the last 10 years. But in addition now some firefighters are living below the poverty line. If their pay and work conditions are not addressed, we could face a crisis in this country, endangering many more lives.

10,000 firefighter jobs have been axed. 30% of budgets have been cut. 20% more cuts are scheduled by 2020. As a result response times are weakening and more deaths from fire are being seen.

And cuts are most likely why firefighters tackling Grenfell Tower fire had to work over 12 hours, when they recommended to not work more than four hours on one.

These cuts mean firefighters are expected to do more with the same pay - pay that is far below adequate and can put someone under the poverty line if they have a family of four.

Read More:

This is the powerful account from one firefighter at Grenfell Tower

https://www.thecanary.co/2017/06/19/powerful-account-one-firefighter-grenfell-tower/

A firefighter drops a stark warning on Theresa May’s government and lives could depend on it

https://www.thecanary.co/2017/06/16/firefighter-drops-stark-warning-theresa-mays-government-lives-depend/