Firefighters in Northern Ireland have missed over 100 workdays due to violent attacks, raising concerns about their safety and community support.
Belfast: It’s pretty alarming to hear that firefighters in Northern Ireland have missed over 100 days of work because of attacks. Can you believe that? The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service shared this info after a Freedom of Information request. They reported that 103 days were lost due to assaults.
According to some data, there were ten incidents where firefighters got hurt because of public assaults. It’s just wild how people can act. In 2019, three firefighters had to go to A&E after being attacked while doing their jobs. Thankfully, there were no injuries reported in 2020, but things took a turn in 2021 when the violence started to spike again.
Most of the attacks happened in Belfast, with firefighters from Cadogan, Westland, and Whitla Fire Stations facing the brunt of it. One firefighter even missed 53 days after an assault back in August 2019. That’s a long time to be out of action!
Fast forward to January 2024, and another firefighter was out for 17 days after an attack. It’s clear that this is a serious issue. The data was gathered from various fire and rescue services across the UK, and it seems there might be even more incidents that just weren’t reported.
Matt Wrack, the Fire Brigades Union general secretary, has been vocal about the need for better protection for firefighters. He emphasized that they should be able to respond to emergencies without fearing for their safety. It’s crucial for firefighters to have the trust of the community, but budget cuts have made it tough for them to engage with locals.
In response, NIFRS Area Commander David Harbinson stated that it’s unacceptable for any firefighter to be attacked while on duty. He pointed out that these attacks not only hurt the individuals involved but also affect the entire community. If a firefighter gets injured, it means fewer resources are available to respond to emergencies.
They’re working closely with local authorities and community groups to tackle this issue. It’s a tough job, and they deserve all the support they can get!
