One in six London fire engines have been out of use every day in July because of staff shortages, data revealed on Wednesday.
The capital’s only fireboat, which is essential for river rescues, has also been unavailable for 13 shifts this month, according to figures obtained by the Fire Brigades Union.
It shows that a year on from the devastating wildfires that engulfed parts of London, an average 23 of the city’s 142 engines are unavailable each day due to understaffing.
Matt Wrack, Fire Brigades Union general secretary said: “One year on from the devastation of last summer’s wildfires, cuts are still leaving the fire service unprepared.
“This is putting lives and homes at risk. Londoners should be furious that in the capital city of one of the richest countries in the world, firefighter numbers have been cut so badly that more than 20 fire engines are sitting idle every day.
“This is a disaster waiting to happen again.
“As we continue to face the impact of the climate emergency, we will continue to face an increasing number of wildfires and extreme weather events.
“We need a UK-wide wildfire strategy, but above all we need proper investment and funding for the fire service. Building resilience starts with having enough firefighters on the frontline.”
London Fire Brigade (LFB) insisted it is “far better prepared” for a potential heatwave this summer with 100 extra recruits equipped with wildfire training and new kit.
The service has been “working all year round” in anticipation of another possible heatwave after record-breaking 40C temperatures crippled it last July.
More than 2,600 blazes were put out in the capital from June to August last year, nearly five times the number for summer 2021.
LFB Deputy Commissioner Dom Ellis said: “We’re increasing recruitment to get more recruits and transferee firefighters through the door, so that we can have as many of our appliances on the run as possible.
“We are also using strategic forecasting of risk to match our resources to demand. Our control officers continue to mobilise firefighters to emergency calls every day to ensure London is covered and respond to emergencies within our six minute target for the first appliance.”
Europe is gripped by a recordbreaking heatwave - seeing temperatures soar to 46C. LFB is preparing for warmer and drier conditions forecast for mid-August in London.
Mr Ellis told the Standard: “We’re bringing forward additional training to get additional recruits through the door so that we can have all of our, or as many of our appliances, on the run as possible.”
