Stress level worry for firemen

Press, 24 April 1984, Page 4

Stress level worry for firemen

PA Auckland Auckland’s 550 firemen are having their blood pressure tested because of concern that they suffer stress in their job. The results might be used “as another piece of ammunition” in a fight for an early retirement scheme for firemen, said the Northern Fire Brigades Union’s assistant secretary, Mr Wayne Highet. The union and the Auckland Fire Service had been co-operating to do the blood pressure screening with the help of the National Heart Foundation, he said.

“Overseas studies show that firemen have a high stress level. When medical retirements were introduced for firemen here in 1977 we had three go, now it’s up to 25 nationally. It’s a worrying trend. “We want an early retirement scheme where a fireman can go at whatever time he believes he cannot continue and be eligible for the pension under the National Provident Fund.” The present retirement age is 60. Those medically retired can receive insurance compensation but not the pension.

It is expected to take a month to test the Auckland firemen for blood pressure. Mr Highet said, “When the first lot were being tested at Ponsonby station we had a fire call. Not all had to respond and the blood pressure was checked of those left behind and found to be abnormally high. From the first alarm the adrenalin starts pumping.

“An engine driver has to negotiate a heavy machine at high speeds through traffic. Often firemen work in high humidity, heat and darkness. It’s stressful.”