Fire and Rescue Services: Occupational Health

(asked on 11th January 2023) - View Source

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the Government plans to introduce effective decontamination policies and training across the Fire and Rescue Service.


Answered by
Chris Philp Portrait
Chris Philp
Minister of State (Home Office)
This question was answered on 19th January 2023

The health and safety of firefighters is of great importance. The Home Office will consider the recently published study that covers Scotland to understand its conclusions. It is for individual fire and rescue authorities, as employers with responsibility for health and wellbeing, to ensure that firefighters receive the appropriate equipment and training they need to safely respond to the wide range of incidents which they attend.

The “Fire and Rescue National Framework” also directs that all Fire and Rescue Authorities should have a people strategy which covers “health and safety, wellbeing, disabilities, and support (including mental health and physical support)”.

In addition, The National Fire Chiefs’ Council’s Health and Wellbeing lead has established a health and wellbeing board to drive positive change across the sector which focuses on prevention, early intervention and support for individuals. The Home Office will support these initiatives.

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