On International Firefighters’ Day, the National Union of Firefighters and Rescuers emphasized the necessity of guaranteeing healthy working conditions for all personnel. A primary concern raised was the reported shortage of protective clothing for many firefighters and rescuers in Bulgaria. Union leader Ventsislav Stankov highlighted that proper decontamination of gear after every incident is crucial for mitigating long-term exposure to toxic substances encountered during fieldwork.
The European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU) is actively campaigning for binding European legislation to classify cancer as an occupational disease for firefighters. This advocacy is supported by a 2022 study from the International Agency for Research on Cancer, which designated cancer resulting from firefighting activities as “Group 1,” the highest level of carcinogenic exposure. The union’s demands encompass improving preventive medical check-ups, enabling early cancer diagnosis, and ensuring rigorous decontamination protocols.
Furthermore, the proposals aim to secure the welfare of employees and their families by implementing a comprehensive care approach that minimizes post-service risks. The union also urged MEP Petar Volgin to support amendments to Directive 2004/37/EC. These proposed changes seek to expand the directive’s scope to include new substances and establish updated limit values, thereby enhancing worker protection across the European Union, including for emergency service personnel.
Separately, the Trade Union Federation of Employees of the Ministry of Interior also called for urgent legislative action on May 4. This body stressed the need to improve working conditions, provide modern protective equipment, enhance medical monitoring, and ensure adequate funding and staffing for the sector supporting firefighters and rescuers.
Topics: #firefighters #union #rescuers
It is concerning to read about the reported shortages of protective clothing for firefighters.