Suicide
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of support available to fire and rescue services who attend callouts to attempted suicides.
Answered by Samantha Dixon
The health and wellbeing of firefighters is of the utmost importance. The Government recognises the risks that firefighters face and is grateful to them for their bravery.
As the employer of fire and rescue service personnel, Fire and Rescue Authorities (FRAs) are ultimately responsible for the health and wellbeing of firefighters. The government-issued National Framework directs that all FRAs should have a people strategy which sets out the mental and physical health and wellbeing support available to firefighters.
The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) supports good mental health in fire and rescue services as one aspect of its Health and Wellbeing Framework. They are currently consulting on a suicide prevention tool kit for the fire and rescue service workforce, supported through the NFCC grant provided by Government.
National organisations such as the Fire Fighters Charity and Mind also offer valuable support to individuals and services. Their resources can assist FRAs in developing local approaches to managing mental health risks and promoting the wellbeing of their workforce.
The health and wellbeing support provided by Fire and Rescue Services is considered by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services in the course of their inspections.
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