New EU data revealing a huge reduction in the number of firefighters during the worst year on record for wildfires highlights the need to end reckless cuts to our public services. Figures published today by Eurostat show that Europe had 372,400 professional firefighters in 2025 – down from 390,600 firefighters in 2024. We need a consistent approach to all of the challenges we are facing and that requires investment in our public services and their workforce.” Jan Willem Goudriaan, General Secretary of the European Public Service Union, said:“The public services emergency is repeatedly showing us its dangers, yet the Commission is fiddling while Rome burns. NotesPhoto: European Union/Jérémie MazenqETUC resolution on public services adopted at the Executive Committee March 2026Source for figures: Eurostat data for 2025 / Eurostat data for 2024