NEW funding and commitments to support firefighter health and wellbeing have been welcomed by leaders.
Jo Coles, Deputy Mayor for Policing, Fire and Crime, said the new measures strongly align with priorities in York and North Yorkshire.
The Government has announced a national scheme offering tailored health support for firefighters, including regular health checks and research into the long-term effects of the job on both physical and mental health.
This forms part of the new Firefighters’ Concordat on Health and Wellbeing, developed in collaboration with the fire service.
Ms Coles 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."
Firefighters in York and North Yorkshire regularly attend incidents involving fire, road traffic collisions, flooding, and other emergencies, often in dangerous conditions.
The scheme addresses concerns raised in the Mayor’s Fire and Rescue Plan and the North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service’s Community Risk Management Plan (CRMP).
Concerns around long-term health risks from contaminants, physical demands, and trauma were discussed during the Deputy Mayor’s online public meeting on Thursday, April 16.
Jonathan Dyson, chief fire officer at North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: "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 Combined Authority will collaborate with North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, Government, and national partners as the programme develops.
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