New figures reveal that firefighters in Northern Ireland have missed over 100 days of work due to attacks. Data obtained through a Freedom of Information request shows that 103 days were lost due to assault-related absences. Nine out of ten attacks took place in Belfast. The Fire Brigades Union calls for greater trust and investment in the fire and rescue service to protect firefighters.
Firefighters in Northern Ireland have suffered over 100 days of lost work due to attacks, according to new figures released by the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service ( NIFRS ). Data obtained through a Freedom of Information request revealed that 103 days of work were missed as a result of assault-related absences. Legal Expert, who collected the data, reported ten incidents where crew members were injured by members of the public.
Three firefighters were even required to seek medical attention at Accident and Emergency departments following assaults while on duty. While there were three reported injuries in 2019, none were recorded in 2020. As COVID-19 restrictions eased in 2021, a sharp increase in violence against firefighters was observed, with four cases reported to NIFRS. A single attack resulting in injury occurred in each of the years 2022, 2023, and 2024. Nine out of the ten attacks took place in Belfast, with firefighters from Cadogan, Westland, and Whitla Fire Stations being targeted twice each. It is important to note that the data gathered from Freedom of Information requests to fire and rescue services across the UK may not capture the full extent of the issue, as NIFRS acknowledged that there could be more unreported incidents. Four of the attacks on Northern Irish firefighters resulted in absences of at least two consecutive working days. The most severe case involved a firefighter based at Cadogan Fire Station on Lisburn Road in August 2019, who missed 53 consecutive days of work due to injuries sustained in an assault. Just three months earlier, a crew member from Westland Fire Station was also injured, leading to 31 consecutive days of absence. Cadogan Fire Station was again affected in April 2021, when a firefighter missed two days of work following an assault. The most recent incident, an attack in January 2024, resulted in a firefighter not returning to Northland Road Fire Station in Derry for 17 days. This data highlights the alarming trend of violence against firefighters in Northern Ireland. Responding to the findings, Matt Wrack, the former general secretary of the Fire Brigades Union, called for greater trust and protection for firefighters. He emphasized the need for fire and rescue services to build strong relationships with local communities. Wrack also stressed the importance of investment in the fire and rescue service to reduce the risks faced by firefighters.Area Commander David Harbinson of NIFRS echoed the sentiment, stating that attacks on firefighters are unacceptable and have a detrimental impact on the entire community. He highlighted that injured firefighters and damaged equipment can lead to fewer resources available for responding to emergency incidents. Harbinson emphasized NIFRS's commitment to protecting firefighters and working closely with local authorities, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), and community groups to prevent further attacks.
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