York and North Yorkshire firefighters get health support

The programme, announced this week by the Government, will provide bespoke health support for firefighters and includes regular health checks and funded research into the long-term physical and mental health impacts of their work.

The scheme forms part of the new Firefighters’ Concordat on Health and Wellbeing and has been welcomed by leaders across York and North Yorkshire.

Jo Coles, Deputy Mayor for Policing, Fire and Crime, said: “Firefighters in York and North Yorkshire face real physical and mental demands in their work protecting our communities.

“This Government commitment recognises that firefighter health and wellbeing must be treated as a long‑term priority, not an afterthought.

“Mayor David Skaith and I have made workforce safety and wellbeing central to our Fire and Rescue Plan, and this national funding will help strengthen our local work.”

Leaders across York and North Yorkshire say the national plan aligns closely with existing regional priorities, as outlined in the Mayor’s Fire and Rescue Plan and North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service’s Community Risk Management Plan.

Both documents emphasise the importance of a healthy and resilient workforce and outline strategies to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all staff.

The new concordat comes amid growing awareness of the long-term health risks faced by firefighters.

These include exposure to contaminants, physical strain and trauma, with impacts that may not appear until years later.

Chief Fire Officer Jonathan Dyson of North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service welcomed the announcement, saying: “I welcome the Government’s commitment to improving firefighter health and wellbeing through the introduction of a Firefighters’ Concordat, stronger national research and a renewed focus on prevention and early intervention.

“A clearer, evidence‑based national approach – particularly around occupational health monitoring and better recognition of the risks firefighters face – has the potential to make a meaningful difference during service and long after people leave the role.

“We already work hard to protect the health of our workforce, and it’s important that this builds on existing good practice and strengthens consistency.

“Looking after firefighter health is not just about supporting our people – it is fundamental to protecting the communities we serve.

“A healthy, well‑supported workforce is better able to respond safely and effectively and that resilience benefits everyone.

“We look forward to engaging with partners across the sector to help shape a concordat.”

The new funding and framework are expected to improve not only the health and wellbeing of individual firefighters but also the long-term resilience of fire and rescue services.

The Combined Authority will work closely with North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, national partners and the Government as further details of the programme are confirmed.