Chamber and committees

Like others, I thank Bill Kidd for bringing this debate on firefighters memorial day to the chamber.

It is always a tragedy when a professional loses their life in the line of duty, so I stand today in solidarity to remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice and to recognise the dedication and courage of each of Scotland’s 3,531 whole-time operational firefighters. I also thank the FBU for sending us a briefing for today’s debate, and for its endless work in advocating for firefighters’ rights.

Firefighters are at the heart of our communities. During 2021-22, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service attended 95,709 incidents. Firefighters provide a lifeline to our communities when they face danger, and they dedicate time in our local communities to educate us and fit smoke alarms on behalf of those who cannot. If firefighters undertake a variety of roles, they share the same goal: all of them prioritise the safety of our communities.

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the deaths of local firefighters Stanley McIntosh MBE and Joseph Calderwood, who lost their lives in a tragic blaze in Holytown, in my constituency. Earlier this year, in honour of their sacrifice, a red plaque from the FBU was placed at Motherwell fire station to ensure that everyone in Lanarkshire remembers their names and to remind local people of their selfless dedication to protecting our community.

In response to firefighters memorial day, I want to raise awareness of all the other everyday sacrifices that firefighters make, because their sacrifice does not stop at the fire station.

As we have heard, the invaluable decon campaign is informed by ground-breaking research by the University of Central Lancashire. It plays a vital role in raising awareness, and it highlights the need for firefighters to protect themselves, their family and others from toxic contaminants.

No one should have their health worsen just from going to work. However, firefighters are routinely faced with traumatic and high-stress environments and exposed to toxic and carcinogenic contaminants. It is harrowing that firefighters are at increased risk of cancer, as we have heard, and that they are often diagnosed only once they have reached the terminal stage. They die up to 20 years earlier than the general public from rare cancers.

In addition, exposure to toxic contaminants is causing higher rates of mental health issues. Findings from the 2023 UK firefighter contamination survey revealed that those who remained in contaminated PPE for over four hours after incidents were twice as likely as their peers to report mental health disorders. Those findings are an evident call for further investigation of health monitoring and PPE management for firefighters, as reducing exposure to contaminants is pertinent to protecting the health and wellbeing of our firefighters and their families.

Sacrifices are made not only by the firefighter; they are made by every partner and family member who patiently waits for their loved one to return home. Being a firefighter means prioritising the safety of our communities, often at the expense of sacred family time—it means missing big occasions, such as birthdays and weddings, and other moments that the rest of us often take for granted. The experience of being married to a firefighter was generously shared by Amber, who wrote:

“The truth is, being a fire wife is rarely glamorous. It’s extremely lonely nights, followed by long days.”

However, Amber would not change that for the world, because she knows that being a firefighter is her husband’s calling, not just his job.

On firefighters memorial day, let us share our gratitude to the firefighters who are currently serving our communities, the families who support them and all those who have fallen. We are honouring extraordinary individuals today. They include the firefighters Stanley McIntosh and Joseph Calderwood and, more recently, Barry Martin and Ewan Williamson, as well as every other firefighter who nobly made the ultimate sacrifice—more than 2,500 in total. I say to all the firefighters out there: thank you for keeping us safe.

I have a short question. When you are doing that work alongside providers, are you happy to build in and take seriously any need for flexibility, including with regard to infrastructure, to ensure that they are able to work effectively with those young people?

Whether children and young people in secure care are secured on welfare or offence grounds, they are the most vulnerable and at-risk people in Scotland. The bill will bring changes for secure accommodation providers, because they will be accommodating older young people and, as the convener spoke about, those young people who have committed serious offences.

I have two questions. First, what care and support needs do you anticipate for those young people who have committed the most serious offences? Secondly, how will staff who currently work in secure care settings be trained and supported to perform that role?

Thanks for that answer. That really is a change. A lot more time will be spent with those people who have committed serious offences as well. Yes, care providers are very supportive of the bill, but they are also very clear about the real risks around accommodating those older young people. Sometimes, very serious or even gruesome offences have been committed, and we must take the risks really seriously.

Obviously, the expertise of those involved in secure care is hugely important. They have been talking about grouping together children and young people in groups that are quite safe. Can you give some reassurance that you will be working closely with those directly involved in secure care to find a way forward on the issue? As you said, they have expertise and specialist training so that they can understand the complex needs involved.

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its interim goals of reaching 50 per cent of disabled people in employment by 2023 and 60 per cent in employment by 2030. (S6O-02169)

ACS Clothing in my constituency has recognised that standard interview processes often exclude disabled people from securing jobs right at the outset, and the company’s inclusive approach has helped earn it disability confident leader accreditation. What further action will the Scottish Government take to support an increase in the number of employers practising inclusive and accessible interview processes, with a view to more local employers recognising and benefiting from the talents that disabled people bring to our workplaces?

I know that the First Minister will agree that the on-going alcohol emergency requires a public health-led policy response to save even more lives and reduce health inequalities. With that in mind, I really appreciate the update on developing alcohol treatment targets. Is the First Minister able to say anything about alcohol brief interventions?

It is worth mentioning that the management of asbestos is the same right across the UK. It is vital to note that asbestos should remain in situ while it is in good condition as it is dangerous only when it is disturbed. Can the cabinet secretary expand on some of the detail of that?

To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government’s response is to Alcohol Focus Scotland’s emergency call to urgently take action to prevent further deaths and reduce harm from alcohol. (S6F-02048)

Are there changes that you feel should be made to the bill to emphasise that?