FBU – National Standards

The Brief:

The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) tasked us with creating an impactful animation to support their campaign for the establishment of a new statutory advisory body that would give firefighters a voice in national standards. The animation needed to engage both policymakers and FBU members by explaining the need for a statutory body, emphasising the current issues with decision making in fire services, and outlining the path to improving national standards.

The Approach:

We developed an animation that succinctly told the story of how decision making in fire services has shifted away from its once democratic and collaborative nature, and why establishing a statutory advisory body is critical for the future.

To evoke the seriousness and urgency of the issue, we used sombre, serious music alongside bold and clear graphics that emphasised key statistics on screen. The tempo of the soundtrack was designed to instil a sense of urgency, while the sound effects—sirens, vehicles, and fires—added realism and gravity. The voiceover guided viewers through the narrative, explaining the consequences of the current fragmented system and how a statutory body would help unify standards across the UK, giving firefighters a stronger voice.

The Result:

The animation quickly gained traction on social media, with over 11,000 views and 250 engagements on X, within the first five days. The clear, direct messaging, coupled with engaging visuals, means that this explainer animation will be a key piece in FBU’s lobbying efforts, contributing to their broader campaign to shape future fire and rescue services policy.