NEW data has revealed that nearly 200 Gloucestershire firefighters were injured on duty since 2022.

Figures obtained by Accident Claims Advice found in the past three years, 194 firefighters were injured on duty. Of these, 69 were injured in 2022/23, 72 in 2023/24, and 53 in 2024/25.

Slips, trips and falls, as well as lifting and carrying, were the most common causes, resulting in 28 injuries each, followed by musculoskeletal, which led to 23 injuries.

Mark Preece, Chief Fire Officer at Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service, said: "We work hard to ensure there are as few injuries at work as possible.

"Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service provides regular health and safety training to its staff to help prevent any incidents that may cause injury at work.

"These figures reflect all injuries of varying severities and show our proactive health and safety culture to ensure all injuries are reported by staff. This allows us to improve our training, policies or equipment to prevent further occurrences."

Nationally, according to official data for England (year ending March 2024), there were 2,408 ‘on-duty firefighter personnel injuries’ recorded.

Of these injuries, around 40 per cent occurred during operational incidents such as fires, rescues, and other emergency attendances.

Several national reviews have highlighted that reduced staffing levels and ageing infrastructure can contribute to higher-risk environments. Adam Taylor, Fire Brigades Union National Officer, believes investment could help reduce injury.

Adam Taylor 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.”