FOI Request 2121

Subject: Firefighter Cancer Mitigation

Status: Complete

Date received: March 2025

Question Asked:

I am writing to enquire what steps are being taken to mitigate the risks to operational firefighters in respect of carcinogenic particles from operational activity.

In particular, can you please explain the following

1. What operational measures are taken to mitigate the risk?

2. What post fire measures are taken to mitigate the risk?

3. What procedural changes have been implemented to mitigate the risk?

4. What equipment and/or service provision has been purchased to mitigate the risk?

5. What specifically is your annual budgetary spend on management of PPE in respect of this risk?

6. What proportion of total budget was allocated to mitigation of this risk in 2022-2023?

Our Response:

Please see our response below to your Freedom of Information Request

1. What operational measures are taken to mitigate the risk?

   All work activities are risk assessed aligned with guidance from the Health and Safety Executive and associated principles of prevention.

   Where higher level of prevention cannot be implemented or are not reasonably practicable Crews are provided with personal protective equipment to reduce the risk of exposure.

   Crew are provided with suitable and adequate clothing, footwear, eye protection, hand protection and respiratory protection depending on the incident conditions.

   Respiratory protection is in the form of self-contained breathing apparatus or half mask with suitable filtration. For almost all incidents SCBA will be utilised, only low risk condition will allow use of the half mask.

2. What post fire measures are taken to mitigate the risk?

   Decontamination procedures have been developed and implemented post incident, these processes include decontamination at scene, on station and in training conditions.

3. What procedural changes have been implemented to mitigate the risk?

   Introduction of decontamination processes at scene, on station and in training.

4. What equipment and/or service provision has been purchased to mitigate the risk?

   A selection of decontamination products purchased depending of specific hazards, that can be utilised at scene, on station or at the training centre.

5. What specifically is your annual budgetary spend on management of PPE in respect of this risk?

   Due to the limitations of Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service’s current finance system we are unable to provide a specific breakdown on the management of PPE in relation to this risk.

6. What proportion of total budget was allocated to mitigation of this risk in 2022-2023?

   Due to the limitations of Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service’s current finance system we are unable to provide a specific breakdown in relation to this risk.

Outcome: Information Provided

FOI responded to within timescales: YES

Further action: NO