FIREFIGHTERS in the UK are calling for urgent meetings with all stakeholders following the release of a report into the deaths of 14 of their colleagues in the line of duty.

A report by the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) and the University of Stirling calls for action to prevent more fatalities, following the 14 deaths between 2004 and 2013.

“We want this report to focus minds on what can be done to improve public safety and firefighter safety,” said FBU general secretary Matt Wrack.

“Firefighters should expect to be able to go home to their families after their day’s work. They do not go to work to die.

“We assess the risks and take carefully planned action to rescue people, to deal with incidents and to make communities safe.

Our members have the right to demand the best possible procedures, training, equipment and resources to enable us to do our job safely, effectively and professionally. That is not too much to ask.”

Mr Wrack said he fears that reduced budgets for the service will lead to more deaths.

“This report demonstrates a need for investment, not cuts to the fire and rescue service,” he said.

“Budget cuts mean reductions in training, staffing, equipment and fire stations and continued operational duties of older firefighters. This will lead inevitably to further fatalities in the future.”

The report:

- Calls for the direct and indirect role of central and senior local government and brigade managers in firefighter fatalities to be addressed

- Recommends ways to address structural and functional failures that threaten firefighter health and safety

- Recommends action to improve risk assessment, risk management and training

Mr Wrack added: “I call on government to treat this report with the same urgency that it would if 14 Members of Parliament weren’t going home to their loved ones.”