To ask the Minister of Health what proposals he will bring forward aimed at improving the safety of fire fighters arising from the recommendations in the University of Central Lancashire’s interim report entitled Minimising firefighters’ exposure to toxic fire effluents.

My Department welcomes research that supports enhancing the health, safety and wellbeing of firefighters.

This report is being considered by Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service. The report is also under review by the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) Health and Safety and NFCC Health and Wellbeing Committees. NFCC are the body responsible for the maintenance of national fire operational guidance and learning.

Northern Ireland is represented on the NFCC by the interim Chief Fire and Rescue Officer. I await the outcome of their deliberations.