130 firefighters hurt in training

MORE than 130 firefighters were injured on duty in the Lothians during the past year, many on training exercises or in the station.

Figures released under freedom of information laws showed 134 firefighters were hurt during the course of their duties, and they come after a Lothian firefighter almost drowned during a training accident in the Borders earlier this month.

Today's figures show many more have been injured in training accidents, though almost all are hurt in minor incidents. Among the less serious injuries were a wasp sting and a firefighter who cut their finger while preparing dinner.

More serious incidents included firefighters suffering heat exhaustion, snapped tendons, eye injuries and various "sprains and strains" after answering 999 calls.

A spokeswoman said: "The fire and rescue service is required to attend hazardous incidents and from time to time staff do report injuries.

"We encourage staff to report all injuries on duty, however minor, so that we can investigate them and identify if any action needs to be taken to further reduce risk."

The request for information was made by Michael Traill, a council worker from Portobello, following the death of firefighter Ewan Williamson last July while tackling a blaze at the Balmoral Bar on Dalry Road.

Mr Traill said: "Fire and rescue services deal with so much more than just fires and car crashes, so it's inevitable that these guys will obtain some injuries in the field.

"I was surprised to see so many injuries occurring on training exercises, but I guess that's the point – so they can get it right in the field knowing where they went wrong in training and hopefully avoid further injuries."

Last month, it emerged that firefighters missed 407 shifts in 2009 after sustaining injuries at work.