THE ROYAL Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service seen a rise in staff absences due to mental health issues, new figures show
The Fire Brigades Union has said that firefighters are being “pushed beyond limits” after data obtained by Accident Claims Advice has been published.
A Freedom of Information request uncovered figures which show that work-related stress, anxiety and depression were the most common conditions cited for staff mental health absences in the last three years.
Between 2021 and 2024, a total of 134 Royal Berkshire Fire Service staff took at least one day off work due to mental health
In 2021/22, 33 staff absences were recorded by the fire service, rising to 46 the following year, having now reached a three-year-high with 55 mental health absences recorded by RBFRS in 2023/24.
The total cost of mental health absences to the service in 2021/22 was an estimated £155,061.45, rising to £166,758.82 the following year.
In 2023/24, the figure skyrocketed with staff absences due to mental health costing the service an estimated £284,437.56, according to RBFRS
The fire service estimates the total cost for sickness absences–including for mental health–since 2021 amounts to £2.6m, with mental health absences alone costing the service more than £600K in the last three years.
The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) General Secretary, Matt Wrack, told ACA: “We are facing a mental health crisis in the fire and rescue service. Since attending traumatic incidents is an unavoidable part of the job for firefighters, mental health support is vital.”
Despite the evidence that firefighters are struggling, fire service mental health provision is patchy across the UK.
“After a decade of cuts to the fire and rescue service, firefighters are being pushed beyond limits to keep the public safe. Responding to life-or-death situations without adequate resources is intensely stressful.
“To address this mental health crisis, we need central government to provide the investment needed to rebuild the service.
“Despite the evidence that firefighters are struggling, fire service mental health provision is patchy across the UK.
“After a decade of cuts to the fire and rescue service, firefighters are being pushed beyond limits to keep the public safe.
“Responding to life-or-death situations without adequate resources is intensely stressful–to address this mental health crisis, we need central
Accident Claims Advice offers services for anyone looking for support and advice after being affected by mental health.
More information is available via: Accidentclaimsadvice.org.uk
