The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has commissioned vital research into the mental health of firefighters, aiming to address the lack of standardized support for mental well-being in the UK fire service.
Despite the physically and emotionally demanding nature of their work, UK firefighters currently face a lack of consistent mental health support. The FBU has partnered with the University of Central Lancashire to conduct a survey of 10,000 firefighters, led by Dr. Carolina Campodonico.
Dr. Campodonico emphasized the critical need for this research, stating, “Firefighters across the UK face immense physical and emotional demands, yet mental health support remains inconsistent and underutilized.” She stressed that the study provides a rare opportunity for firefighters to voice their experiences anonymously.
Drawing on successful models from other countries, she highlighted how similar surveys in the US, Canada, and Australia have prompted national policy changes, significantly improving mental health support for first responders. Dr. Campodonico believes UK firefighters deserve the same level of commitment to their well-being. “Our research is independent, shaped by the needs of the fire service community, and aims to provide clear, evidence-based recommendations to improve mental health support,” she said. “Every firefighter who participates will contribute to creating meaningful change.”
FBU General Secretary Steve Wright echoed the call for participation, saying, “Firefighting is an intensive and highly skilled profession, and we hear daily from firefighters facing mounting pressures. Unfortunately, the support available is often patchy and inconsistent, with no standard policies in place.” Wright urged firefighters across the UK to take part in the survey, stressing its importance in creating a clearer picture of how fire and rescue services can better support their frontline staff.
“Together, we are determined to improve mental health in our service,” Wright concluded.
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