In this episode it is my pleasure to talk with John Barlow, a firefighter in Essex and London. The acute risk of the role is something we are familiar with, but John shares data on the longer term health risks associated with the profession. With this in mind, we explore how familiar fire fighters are with planning ahead, and what elements of Advance Care Planning could be appropriate.

Key messages

• John shares data proving the higher morbidity rate for fire fighters from cancers, heart attacks and strokes.

• John explains the risks associated with soot and the drive for decontamination 

• The mobilising system has changed from a metal bell to an incremental bell system to help mitigate risks

• John explains that, in his experience, Advance Care Planning is not well known amongst firefighters

• We talk about the support for firefighters who may be living and working with a terminal illness

Resource

• Access data Cancer incidence amongst UK firefighters 

• Access data from the Fire Brigade Union Firefighters far more likely to die from cancer and heart attacks than public 

• Find out more about Health consequences of shift work and insufficient sleep 

• UK Parliament report Shift Work, Sleep and Health 

• Read the blog Living and working with a terminal illness: what do we know and what could we do better?

• Read the ongoing NHS Health Research Authority Grenfell Firefighters Study

Bio

John has been a Firefighter with The London Fire Brigade for 6 years, working additionally with Essex Fire and Rescue Service for the last 2.

Alongside his role in the Emergency Services he also works freelance as a ghost/ script writer, crafting content for a variety of sectors.