National Fire Chiefs Council urges public to support firefighters

Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government figures highlight that 129 firefighters were injured in attacks in England in the year ending March 2025. That’s a 34% increase on the 96 incidents recorded in the previous year. In addition, 13 firefighters suffered serious injuries requiring a hospital stay.

The Government figures also reveal that there were 933 incidents involving attacks on firefighters in England in 2024-2025. Although this figure was slightly lower than for the previous year, attacks remain significantly higher (61%) than a decade ago, when 578 incidents were recorded.

The majority of incidents were categorised as verbal abuse, but attacks on firefighters can also involve physical violence, threatening behaviour and objects being thrown at crews while they’re responding to emergencies.

This serious issue extends beyond England. Figures from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service show that attacks on members of staff rose by 30% in 2025-2026 (from 59 to 77 incidents) and included 16 physical attacks and 20 attacks on property and equipment.

The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) is highlighting the impact that violence and abuse can have on firefighters and the communities they serve as Fire and Rescue Services enter a period of increased demand associated with Bonfire Night and other seasonal events.

Treating firefighters with respect

NFCC chair Phil Garrigan said: “Firefighters put themselves on the line to protect others, as they demonstrated during the busiest wildfire season on record. They should never face violence or abuse from the people they are there to help.”

Garrigan continued: “Behind every uniform is a person. Firefighters are mothers and fathers, sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, friends, neighbours and members of the communities they serve. They return home to their families after every shift just like anyone else.”

Further, Garrigan observed: “Every attack on a firefighter is unacceptable. As well as putting individual firefighters at risk of harm, it can affect their ability to respond effectively and protect the communities that rely on them.”

In conclusion, Garrigan explained: “As we enter a busy period, we’re asking everyone to treat firefighters with the respect they deserve so that they can continue to keep people safe.”

Misuse of fireworks

Alongside raising awareness of the dangers of attacks on firefighters, the NFCC has also supported measures aimed at reducing the misuse of fireworks.

In the organisation’s recent response to a Government consultation on fireworks and pyrotechnics, the NFCC backed tighter restrictions on the sale of certain higher-risk fireworks to members of the public, including rockets and other projectile fireworks.

These measures could help to reduce the number of attacks perpetrated on emergency workers, deliberate fire-setting and anti-social behaviour, while also allowing people to continue enjoying fireworks responsibly and through professionally organised displays.