More than 100 West Midlands firefighters took part in the latest DECON research in October, with health testing carried out by the University of Central Lancashire.
Results will be used to detect cancers and other diseases at an early stage, and to identify evidence linking occupational cancers with exposure to toxic fire chemicals.
Firefighters funded this round of testing through the union, as the West Midlands fire service declined to support the research financially.
FBU West Midlands and FBU East Midlands competed in a charity football match, with special guest appearances from former England footballers Tony Morley and Geoff Thomas. This stage of the research project took place thanks to the generosity of Boldmere St Michaels football club, which hosted the testing.
Billy Holland, FBU West Midlands regional secretary, said: “Every firefighter taking part in this groundbreaking research in the West Midlands should be proud of their contribution to making the profession safer.”
The FBU’s DECON project is the first of its kind for firefighters in the UK and follows the World Health Organisation announcement that occupational exposure as a firefighter is carcinogenic.
So far, firefighters from Tyne and Wear, London, Manchester, Edinburgh, and Birmingham have taken part.
