Fostering wellbeing of Firefighters

Recent evidence shows a worsening mental health crisis across UK fire services. In the last two years, stress, anxiety and depression were the most common reasons for London Fire Brigade firefighters to be off work for longer than 2 weeks,¹ with symptoms linked to repeated trauma, disrupted sleep, understaffing, exposure to violence, and “moral injury” caused by working in overstretched systems.^{2 3}

Experts and unions are calling for urgent, sector-wide reform, including fast-tracked, specialist mental health support, better data on suicide and wellbeing, and a preventative, whole-career health and wellbeing strategy that prioritises care over productivity.

The London Assembly Fire Committee will speak to guests tomorrow who have undertaken research on firefighters’ mental health. The Committee will discuss why stress, anxiety, and depression are increasing in the fire and rescue sector and how this may differ depending on role. 

The guests are:

Panel 1 (10:00am – 11:30am):

• Professor Rowena Hill MBE, Professor of Psychology, School of Social Sciences, Nottingham Trent University
• Dr Carolina Campodonico, Senior Lecturer in Clinical Psychology, School of Psychology and Humanities, University of Lancashire
• Professor Jo Yarker, Co Strategic Director, London Centre for Work and Health
• Dr Danielle Lamb, Theme Lead, London Centre for Work and Health

Panel 2 (11:35am – 12:55pm):

• Spencer Sutcliff, Deputy Commissioner and Operational Director for Prevention, Protection & Policy, London Fire Brigade
• Dr Adrian Bevan, Assistant Director, Health & Safety, London Fire Brigade
• Gareth Cook, London Regional Executive Lead Representative on Mental Health, Wellbeing & Workforce Culture, Fire Brigades Union
• Dean Corney, Firefighter, London Fire Brigade and Founder of Walk & Talk 999
• Joss Gaynor, Director of Impact and Service Partnerships, Fire Fighters Charity

The meeting will take place on Tuesday 13 January 2026 from 10am in the Chamber at City Hall, Kamal Chunchie Way, E16 1ZE.

Media and members of the public are invited to attend.

The meeting can also be viewed LIVE or later via webcast or YouTube.

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