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The government has announced plans to introduce a new agreement aimed at improving the long-term health and wellbeing of firefighters, alongside fresh investment in research to better understand the risks associated with the role.
Speaking at the Fire Brigades Union, Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting confirmed the creation of a Firefighters’ Concordat on Health and Wellbeing. The agreement will bring together key organisations across the sector to take a more coordinated approach to supporting firefighter health.
While the immediate dangers of firefighting – from structural fires to road traffic collisions – are well known, there remains limited UK-based research into the long-term health impacts of the job. The new concordat is intended to shift the focus towards prevention, with earlier intervention, improved monitoring and stronger evidence to support decision-making.
Under the plans, the government will fund new research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research to build a clearer picture of occupational risks. This will include areas such as mental health, musculoskeletal conditions, cancer and cardiovascular disease, as well as a focus on underrepresented groups, including women.
Streeting said the move was aimed at addressing a longstanding gap in understanding how firefighting affects health over time. He added that the agreement would strengthen collaboration between government, fire and rescue services, unions and employers, while helping ensure firefighters receive appropriate support both during and after their careers.
The concordat also aligns with commitments set out in the government’s 10 Year Health Plan, including improving awareness and access to NHS services such as mental health support, cancer screening and musculoskeletal care. Plans also include recording occupation in NHS records to help clinicians better assess risk.
“We have been clear that prevention, early intervention and consistent standards are key. Work to strengthen contamination controls, improve facilities and enhance health monitoring must be informed by the best available evidence and applied consistently across all fire and rescue services.
“Supporting further research and building a stronger evidence base will be vital to improving understanding of occupational risk and ensuring firefighters receive appropriate, timely support throughout their careers. NFCC will continue to work constructively with partners across the sector, including through the Ministerial Advisory Group, to advance firefighter health and wellbeing.”
Phil Garrigan, Chair of the National Fire Chiefs Council.
Building Safety Minister Samantha Dixon described the agreement as a long-term commitment to better understand and address the risks firefighters face, while Steve Wright, General Secretary of the Fire Brigades Union, said the move reflected constructive collaboration between government and the union.
He added that increased health monitoring marked an important step forward in recognising the risks firefighters take and ensuring their safety is properly supported.
Sherine Wheeler, Chief Executive of Fire Fighters Charity, said: “Fire Fighters Charity has over 80 years’ expertise in fulfilling the health and wellbeing needs of individuals in the fire services community across the UK, both during and after their service; we expect to work closely in partnership to drive the targeted improvements.”
The concordat will be delivered through a working group under the Ministerial Advisory Group on Fire and Rescue Reform. It will bring together government, employers, fire and rescue services and representative bodies to develop a programme of improvements, including enhanced health monitoring and better identification of emerging risks.
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