“Investment needed to protect public from emerging risks” warns FBU

The Office for Product Safety and Standards recently reported that there were at least 211 e-bike and e-scooter fires last year, including five that resulted in fatalities. The corresponding figure in 2020 stood at 26.

Most of the e-bike and e-scooter fires reported in 2024 occurred in London. The true national total is certain to be higher since it’s based on voluntary reporting by regional Fire and Rescue Services.

Lithium-ion battery fires are particularly challenging to extinguish, potentially causing explosions and the release of flammable gases. Alongside an increase in flooding and wildfire incidents fuelled by the ongoing climate crisis, such challenging incidents will continue to put pressure on the Fire and Rescue Services in the years ahead.

Despite increasing pressures, one-in-five firefighter posts have been lost since 2010. According to the FBU, lack of investment from Westminster have led to Fire and Rescue Service response times in England slowing by over three minutes since the 1990s.

Keeping pace with technology

Steve Wright, general secretary of the FBU, observed: “Firefighters’ equipment needs to keep pace with advances in technology. So does the training of firefighters. The latter has been cut over the years.”

Wright continued: “Cars are more advanced and lithium-ion battery risks are on the rise. Attendance at climate-related incidents has increased. I know there are climate change deniers in Reform, and I would love to have that argument all day with them as I’ve been on the front line. We’re attending more floods and more wildfires.”

Further, Wright noted: “Given that we’re taking three-and-a-half minutes longer to respond to incidents when compared with the mid-1990s, fires are more developed. Firefighters’ safety has been compromised along with the safety of members of the public.”