New statistics show why we can no longer go on cutting fire stations and firefighters says the Fire and Rescue Services Association (FRSA).

Commenting on the latest fire statistics which show a significant increase in fires Tristan Ashby Chief Executive of the Association says:

‘The latest fire statistics published today paint a clear and concerning picture with fire and rescue services responding to more incidents than at any point in recent years, with over 641,000 incidents attended in the year ending March 2026 a 24% increase over the last five years. Fires have increased by 19% in the last year alone, while non-fire incidents have reached their highest level since consistent records began.

These figures demonstrate that demand on our fire and rescue services continues to grow, not diminish.

Against this backdrop, any proposal to close fire stations or reduce firefighter numbers would be the wrong response. Communities need greater resilience, not less. Every fire station represents a vital emergency response asset, and every firefighter provides an essential capability that cannot simply be replaced once it has been lost.

The Fire and Rescue Services Association believes these figures should serve as a wake-up call for policymakers. Rather than reducing capacity, there must be sustained investment in frontline services and the people who deliver them.

A key part of that investment must be the strengthening of the On-Call Fire Duty System where firefighters respond to incidents in their own time or from primary employment who are fully supported by local employers. On-call firefighters provide an indispensable emergency response for thousands of communities across England, particularly in rural, coastal and semi-rural areas. They deliver outstanding value for money, maintain vital local resilience and ensure that communities receive a professional emergency response when they need it most.’

ENDS