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The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has warned that fire and rescue services need urgent investment to keep pace with the rising threats posed by lithium-ion battery fires and climate-related emergencies.
The call comes after the Office for Product Safety reported at least 211 e-scooter and e-bike fires across the UK in the past year—up from just 26 in 2020. Five of last year’s incidents resulted in fatalities, and with figures based on voluntary reporting from regional fire services, the true national total is believed to be higher. London accounted for the majority of reported cases.
Fires involving lithium-ion batteries, which are common in e-scooters and e-bikes, are notoriously difficult to control. These incidents can trigger explosions and release flammable gases, creating new challenges for frontline crews.
At the same time, climate change is driving a rise in major incidents, including floods and wildfires. According to the FBU, the increasing frequency and complexity of emergencies is placing sustained pressure on a service already weakened by more than a decade of cuts.
Since 2010, one in five firefighter posts in England have been cut. Fire service response times have slowed by over three minutes compared to the 1990s, making it more difficult to contain fires early and ensure the safety of both the public and firefighters.
“Our equipment needs to keep pace with the advances in technology, and so does the training of firefighters that’s been cut over the years,” said Steve Wright, general secretary of the Fire Brigades Union. “Cars are more advanced, and lithium-ion battery risks are going up.”
Wright also highlighted the increasing number of climate-related emergencies. “We’re attending more floods, more wildfires,” he said. “And because we are taking three-and-a-half minutes longer [to respond] compared with the mid-90s, fires are more developed. Firefighters’ safety has been compromised—with the safety of members of the public.”
The FBU is urging the government to reverse staffing cuts, modernise training, and provide better equipment to tackle the emerging risks that threaten to overwhelm an already stretched service.
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