Marvin OnumonuFirefighters in Avon and Leicestershire have avoided cuts after campaigns led by the Fire Brigades Union (FBU).
Avon Fire and Rescue had announced a £2m deficit for the 2026-27 financial year, which could have meant the loss of up to 72 firefighter posts.
Members of the FBU rallied and lobbied, with the threat of strike action, leading bosses to delay the cuts until 2026.
Avon’s chief fire officer wrote to staff confirming the service has now received an extra £3.5m in central Government funding following lobbying and campaigning.
Leicestershire firefighters also secured an additional £2m this year after their campaign and a change to the funding formula.
Steve Wright, general secretary at FBU, said: “Where firefighters stand together and fight, we can win.
“The FBU is proud that our members’ efforts to campaign for funding, which have made the residents of Avon and Leicestershire safer.
“However, across the country, we are still facing devastating cuts.”
Wright added: “Politicians and chief fire officers should be on notice – we will fight for every job and every station in every corner of the UK.
“If necessary, we will take industrial action to protect the fire service.
“Britain is one of the richest countries in the world, and billionaires are richer than ever – after years of Tory austerity, it’s time for change.”
Amanda Mills, brigade secretary at FBU Avon, said: “We are proud of all our members across Avon and the wider region who have campaigned and lobbied to push back these cuts.
“Without the hard work of FBU members, we would not have delayed the proposals, and we would already have lost firefighter posts. Of course, defeating further cuts is not enough.
“We’ve lost 252 firefighter jobs in Avon since 2010 – and we desperately need them back.”
Mills added: “It’s time for the government to invest to reverse the effects of austerity.”
Harry Brandt, brigade secretary at FBU Leicestershire, said: “This fresh money from central government is a huge relief to firefighters in Leicestershire, who are already stretched to breaking point because of cuts implemented over the past decade or so.
“We are proud of the campaign we have run. We will stand in solidarity with residents and firefighters across the country as they prepare to fight a fresh round of austerity in the fire service.”
