Motion no: 22
Conference recognises that climate change is increasing the risk and severity of extreme weather events, including wildfires, creating growing risks for workers, communities and the environment in Northern Ireland.
Conference notes that firefighters responding to large and prolonged wildfires can face difficult terrain, extreme temperatures, heat stress, fatigue, smoke and potentially harmful contaminants, while these incidents place significant demands upon Fire and Rescue Service personnel and resources.
Conference welcomes the Wildfires in Northern Ireland Strategic Framework 2025–2030 and accompanying Action Plan, including their focus on prevention, preparedness, response, recovery and enforcement.
Conference notes, however, that successful wildfire resilience depends ultimately upon the workers required to deliver it.
Conference supports the Fire Brigades Union's Wildfire Resilience campaign and believes that Northern Ireland's approach must place firefighter safety and operational resilience at its heart.
Conference is particularly concerned that structural firefighting Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is not designed for prolonged strenuous activity at wildfire incidents in high temperatures. Firefighters require appropriate specialist lightweight wildfire PPE, equipment, training and welfare arrangements.
Conference further believes that increasingly prolonged and resource-intensive wildfire incidents must not compromise the ability of the Fire and Rescue Service to maintain an effective emergency response to other incidents across Northern Ireland.
Conference therefore calls upon the Northern Ireland Committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions to:
- Support the full implementation and proper resourcing of the Northern Ireland Wildfire Strategic Framework and Action Plan, with meaningful involvement of the trade unions representing frontline workers.
- Campaign for sufficient firefighter and emergency control staffing and safe crewing levels to maintain operational resilience during prolonged or simultaneous wildfire incidents.
- Campaign for specialist lightweight wildfire PPE, appropriate vehicles and equipment, recognised wildfire training and competency standards, and suitable welfare, hydration, rest and relief arrangements.
- Call for the occupational health risks to firefighters and other workers from wildfire smoke, contaminants, extreme heat and fatigue to be properly addressed, including appropriate health surveillance.
- Support continued investment in wildfire prevention, sustainable land management, public awareness and community resilience; and
- Support effective multi-agency and cross-border cooperation and mutual assistance during major wildfire incidents.
Conference believes that climate policy cannot simply be about reducing emissions in 2030 or 2050; it must also be about protecting the workers dealing with the consequences of climate change today.
Climate resilience requires investment in workers, properly resourced public services and a strong trade union voice for those on the frontline.
