Bucks firefighters increasingly worried over cancer risks
Members of the Fire Brigades Union in Buckinghamshire raised concerns over cancer risks caused by fires
Fire Brigades Union (FBU) members in Buckinghamshire raised a series of concerns at a rally held outside of West Ashland Fire Station yesterday, at the Blue Light Centre in Milton Keynes.
Amongst those was the cancer risk they are exposed to on the job, alongside demands for increased funding.
Fires have been known for years to expose human beings to chemical particles, which can lead to cancer, exposing firefighters to a greater risk.
FBU member in Buckinghamshire, Chris Wycherley, said: "There's a recommendation to shower within an hour, and if we're not able to do that the chances are so much further increased in terms of the risks of contracting those cancers."
The main concern for Mr Wycherley is the lack of available crews to take over from the team attending a fire.
Although this is not always the case, if no crews take over from the one already present within a specific timeframe, the chemical particles have a greater chance of contaminating the body.
"...all of their clothing and equipment gets bagged up, put in the back of the appliance before coming back to station."
A series of steps have already been set out by Fire and Recue services across the country to limit the contamination risk, such as creating separate decontamination rooms upon return from service.
Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Mick Osborne, said: "We've already seen big steps with around how our operations and procedures are carried out."
"When we attend an incident and people get contaminated, all of their clothing and equipment gets bagged up, put in the back of the appliance before coming back to station."
The Blue Light Centre in Milton Keynes is an example the service in Buckinghamshire is hoping to follow, with a fire station fitted with various decontamination stations.
"We have a lot of other areas where we're looking at zoning stations", added Mr Osborne.
Earlier this year, a firefighter working across South Buckinghamshire died of cancer, which is believed to be linked to his profession.
Mr Osborne is hoping to work closely with the NHS across the county to improve screening programmes for serving officers, and to unroll screening for retired firefighters.