East Sussex FRS BA wear credit Eddie Howland

Firefighters far more likely to die from cancer and heart attacks than public

By Gabriella Matkin
Research commissioned by the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) finds firefighters significantly more likely to die from cancer, heart attack, stroke and several other diseases FBU calls for thorough health monitoring from fire toxins exposures and financial and medical support for those affected The...
A stylised image of a firefighter adjusting their breathing apparatus, covered in contaminants

DECON - one year on

The FBU's vital DECON campaign to better protect firefighters against toxic contaminants and prevent cancer has brought a wave of change across the fire and rescue service. FBU national officer Riccardo la Torre looks at what has been achieved one year on from the campaign launch. Before the Fire...

Union reports fire brigades to Health and Safety Executive

By Ben Duncan-Duggal
The Fire Brigades Union has formally reported two fire and rescue services to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), and identified several others, in relation to bringing in policy which would see firefighters sent into fires with their breathing equipment turned off, in a letter first published...
DECON campaign banner image - firefighter in stylised representation of contamination

World Health Organisation agency declares firefighting to be carcinogenic

By Ben Duncan-Duggal
The International Agency for Research on Cancer, a World Health Organisation body, has today declared that occupational exposure as a firefighter has been classified as carcinogenic. The decision comes against a background of research around the world proving that there are links between...
Firefighters network meeting Brussels EPSU June

Firefighters from across Europe discuss DECON

FBU work on cancer in firefighters was the focus of a Europe-wide meeting of firefighters and their representa­tives. Riccardo la Torre, FBU national officer, attended the meeting. He said: “DECON is here to stay in the UK fire and rescue service, and now firefighters from across Europe are keen to...
Breathing apparatus

FBU calls on HSE to ban ‘unlawful’ changes

The Fire Brigades Union has formally reported two fire and rescue services to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) for a breach of health and safety law involved in policies which would see firefighters sent beyond the bridgehead without their breathing apparatus (BA) turned on. Hampshire and Isle...
Subscribe to Health and Safety