NEWLY released figures have shed light on the physical risks faced by firefighters in South Wales, revealing the number of staff injured while responding to emergencies over recent years.
Data obtained by Accident Claims Advice shows that more than 200 employees of South Wales Fire & Rescue Service have been hurt while on duty during the past three years, highlighting the toll frontline work continues to take on fire service personnel.
Firefighting is widely recognised as one of the most demanding and dangerous public service roles. Crews are routinely deployed to unpredictable environments, including major fires, serious road traffic collisions and incidents involving hazardous substances. In these situations, firefighters face exposure to extreme heat, toxic smoke, unstable buildings, heavy equipment and traumatic scenes.
National figures underline the scale of the issue. Official data for England, covering the year ending March 2024, recorded 2,408 on-duty firefighter injuries, with around 40% occurring during operational incidents such as fires, rescues and emergency callouts.
Within South Wales, injury levels have fluctuated. The highest number was recorded in 2023/24, when 79 staff members were injured while working. More recent figures show a slight reduction, with 70 injuries logged over the past year, though numbers remain high.
Injuries sustained by firefighters commonly include burns, smoke inhalation, muscle and joint injuries, slips and falls, and impact injuries caused by falling debris or collapsing structures.
Since 2022, injured staff have brought a number of claims against South Wales Fire & Rescue Service, resulting in £88,867.07 in compensation.
A series of national reviews into fire service safety have warned that factors such as reduced staffing levels, increasing incident complexity and ageing infrastructure can heighten the risk of injury for frontline crews.
Speaking about the need for increased investment, Adam Taylor, Fire Brigades Union national officer, said: “Too often firefighters are not being provided with the basic equipment and training they need to keep themselves and the public safe.
“Without proper PPE, firefighters face an impossible choice between heat stroke and exposing themselves to burns, either from flames or the sun.
“We urgently need investment to sort out this problem. We also need national standards on equipment and training, as well as response times and crewing levels.”
South Wales Fire & Rescue Service operates from 47 fire stations, serving ten local authority areas across the region.
Figures show that Cardiff Gate Training recorded the highest number of staff injuries, with 26 incidents, followed by Bridgend, Caerphilly, and Cardiff Central, each logging 12 injuries.
Accident Claims Advice offers support to those who have suffered injuries whilst at work and can see if they have grounds to submit a claim.
They operate a 24-hour helpline, with an online claim form too, which you can access on their website.
