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New London Fire Brigade recruits go through their paces during a drill at a Fire station in East London
FIREFIGHTERS took their campaign for annual health checks to the Senedd today and demanded Welsh government action.
The Fire Brigades Union Cymru said that there was evidence of the link between fire contaminants and firefighters developing cancer.
FBU regional secretary Duncan Stewart-Ball said: “Dirty fire kit for years was worn as a badge of honour showing how many fires the wearer had attended with both kit and fire appliances filthy with soot and contaminates.
“Our campaign aims to educate about the dangers of contamination and the need to clean themselves and kit to protect themselves and their families.
“We are asking the Welsh government for annual health monitoring for all firefighters in work and after they retire.”
Lisa Jenkins explained how her partner Andrew Williams had died aged 52 from a tumour in his spine.
“Andrew thought if he had an annual blood test his cancer might have been spotted much earlier,” Ms Jenkins said.
A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “We have worked closely with the FBU and other representative bodies to reduce health risks to the profession. However, fire and rescue authorities in Wales determine their own budgets, which are funded by contributions they levy on local authorities. The Welsh Government has no role in this process.”
The FBU is demanding 52 weeks of full pay for women firefighters, highlighting the unique health risks they face — and the continuing need to recruit and retain more women if policies like this are still not in place, writes SEONA HART
