During Donald Trump’s upcoming state visit to Chequers, firefighters are being mobilized, raising concerns as fire crews are already under significant strain, according to a warning from the Fire Brigades Union (FBU).
The FBU highlighted the pressure on resources and called for Keir Starmer to reconsider the lavish trip for the US President, hosted by the King for a second state visit filled with ceremonial events.
Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service has reached out to all staff, offering overtime to ensure adequate fire coverage during the visit, as the FBU pointed out the challenges faced by the fire and rescue service due to substantial cuts at both national and local levels.
Steve Wright, the FBU General Secretary, criticized Trump’s policies and the decision to grant him a second state visit, expressing concerns that compromising fire cover for the visit could impact response times and public safety, urging Starmer to cancel the visit.
Chris Wycherley, an FBU executive council member for the Southern region, emphasized the strain on the fire service due to years of cuts and the current lack of resources in Buckinghamshire.
“Given the recent wildfires, high temperatures, and limited rainfall, the demand for fire services remains high. Deploying fire engines and a water tanker outside Chequers for Trump’s visit may be seen as inappropriate, as the primary role of firefighters is saving lives, not providing a display for foreign leaders,” Wycherley stated.
The invitation for Trump’s state visit was handed over to him by Keir Starmer during a meeting at the White House in February, with their rapport being credited for facilitating a trade deal that shielded Britain from adverse trade tariffs imposed by Trump.