Green MSP calls for decontamination equipment and routine health screening of firefighters
Scottish Green MSP Maggie Chapman has called for all fire stations to have the necessary decontamination equipment for firefighters, and for routine health screening of firefighters to catch any illnesses as early as possible.
The issue was raised by Maggie Chapman at First Minister’s Questions, who has lodged a motion in support of the Fire Brigades Union’s (FBU) DECON campaign. [1] The campaign aims to protect the health and save the lives of firefighters by reducing exposure to harmful fire contaminants that cause cancer and other diseases.
Research from the FBU and the University of Central Lancashire shows that Firefighters are four times more likely to get cancer, sometimes up to 15 years earlier, than the average working person. This has been linked to toxic contaminants released during fires.
The FBU warns that there are stations across Scotland that do not have running water or dignified washing or changing facilities, which are essential to decontamination. [2]
Earlier this year the World Health Organisation declared occupational exposure experienced by firefighters as carcinogenic, a preventable cause of human cancer
Speaking after FMQs, Maggie Chapman MSP said:
“The role that firefighters play is utterly essential. They put their bodies and wellbeing on the line in order to keep us safe in some of the most devastating and dangerous circumstances. We saw that last summer when blazes spread across the UK.
“Firefighters protect all of us, and we should ensure that we are doing everything we can to protect them. The FBU has done vital work in producing best practice guidance and training for firefighters. But there is also a role for Parliament and for government in supporting them.
“We need to work with the FBU and others to ensure that all firefighters can access the equipment they need to keep themselves safe, and to establish routine health screening to catch any illnesses as early as possible.
“Preventing cancers and other diseases should be our focus, so that we secure the wellbeing of our workers and their families, and reduce unnecessary pressures on our health and social services.”
Notes
[1] S6M-06671
That the Parliament commends the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) in Scotland for leading the DECON Campaign, whose aim is to protect the health and save the lives of firefighters by reducing exposure to harmful contaminants that cause cancer and disease; recognises what it sees as the fundamental role that research and data play in fully understanding the risks that firefighters face in their day-to-day working lives; understands that in 2022 the World Health Organization declared occupational exposure experienced by firefighters as carcinogenic, a preventable cause of human cancer; further understands that, in the UK, the FBU, alongside Professor Anna Stec from the University of Central Lancashire, has led research into the links between cancer and firefighting, as well as best practices that can help mitigate potential risks from fire contaminants, including commissioning and working with independent researchers to develop a Firefighters Cancer and Disease Registry; applauds the FBU and its partners for producing best practice guidance and training for firefighters alongside the DECON campaign; understands that DECON is the largest study of its kind in the UK; expresses its solidarity with all involved in the campaign, and wishes them every success in improving the lives of firefighters in the North East Scotland region, more widely across Scotland and throughout the UK.
[2]https://www.fbu.org.uk/sites/default/files/publications/FBU%20NEWSLETTER%20AUGUST%202022.pdf