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In a troubling trend, the number of suicide-related callouts to fire and rescue services in England has soared, tripling over the past decade. This alarming rise has prompted the charity Samaritans to advocate for compulsory training for firefighters, who are frequently among the first responders to these critical incidents. With 3,250 calls recorded in the year ending September 2025, the need for enhanced support and training has never been more urgent.
Rising Incidents and the Strain on Fire Services
Recent statistics reveal that fire services in England responded to an average of 62 suicide-related incidents each week, a significant increase from just 997 callouts in 2009-10. This escalation is reflective of broader societal challenges, as the number of registered suicides in England reached 5,717 in 2024, marking a rise of 61 compared to the previous year. The trend, which has been on the upswing since 2017, raises critical concerns about the mental health crisis facing the nation.
Firefighters often find themselves first on the scene during these distressing situations, yet they currently lack formal training specifically tailored to manage suicidal crises. Elliot Colburn, public affairs and campaigns manager at Samaritans, emphasises that the absence of such training leaves firefighters feeling ill-equipped to intervene effectively. “People with this experience are telling us they don’t feel equipped with the training on dealing with someone in suicidal crisis,” Colburn stated. “The data is pretty clear that once someone has undergone a form of suicide prevention training, their confidence in making an intervention and potentially saving a life skyrockets.”
The Call for Change
In response to the growing crisis, Samaritans has penned an open letter to Fire Minister Samantha Dixon, urging her to ensure that firefighters receive training comparable to that mandated for police recruits, which now includes protected time for trauma and suicide prevention training. This move aims to equip firefighters with the necessary skills to handle the emotional and psychological challenges presented by suicide-related incidents.
Mark, a firefighter with nearly twenty years of experience in the West Midlands, shared his perspective on the rising frequency of these callouts. “At the start of my career, I rarely attended suicide incidents,” he noted, revealing that he has responded to five such calls in just the past year. Mark described the immense pressure of being first on the scene, where he is often required to act quickly while awaiting the arrival of specially trained professionals.
A Shift in Focus
Interestingly, while the number of fire-related incidents has decreased significantly due to effective prevention strategies, the rise in special service calls—particularly those involving suicide—continues unabated. Mark expressed hope that similar preventative approaches could be applied to the realm of mental health. “We’ve done a lot of prevention work on fire over the last 20 years, going into schools and delivering that message, which clearly shows that prevention is better than the cure,” he said.
He also highlighted the importance of breaking down the stigma surrounding mental health within the firefighting community. “People see us as brave, burly individuals who deal with this kind of stuff on a daily basis, but it does have an effect on you mentally. My hope is that when people see firefighters are being open and discussing this, it might break down some barriers and encourage people to seek help.”
Why it Matters
The shocking increase in suicide-related callouts underscores a pressing need for better mental health training among first responders. As the landscape of emergency services evolves, so too must the approach to mental health crises. Equipping firefighters with the skills to manage these situations not only supports their wellbeing but also serves to protect vulnerable individuals in moments of dire need. It is imperative that we prioritise mental health training within all emergency services, ensuring that those who bravely answer the call for help are adequately prepared to provide the support that is so desperately needed.
