Grenfell firefighters lost 8,218 days to PTSD

London Fire Brigade staff have lost a total of 8,218 working days due to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) since the Grenfell Tower fire. The figures, released following a Freedom of Information request, show that 30 staff members have been diagnosed with the condition since the 2017 disaster.

Ongoing impact of the disaster

Read Next in News London3 min read

Eight evacuated as fire destroys stalls at Kingston Ancient Market

Four fire engines tackled the blaze on Market Place; the area remains cordoned off while police and the fire brigade investigate the unknown cause.

The data reveals that even nine years after the blaze, which killed at least 72 people, firefighters continue to suffer. Last year alone, firefighters took 445 sick days due to psychological trauma. Control room staff have also been affected, losing 446 days due to similar trauma.

Of the 30 staff diagnosed with PTSD, 27 are firefighters and three are control operators. The psychological damage has led to 16 staff members, 15 firefighters and one control room operator, retiring from the brigade.

A firefighter's experience

Related Borough Coverage3 min read

London ADHD referrals jump 72% to 112,570

Over 27,000 individuals have waited more than two years for an assessment, according to NHS England data.

Paul Courtney, a veteran firefighter who spent 12 days searching the tower after the fire, described the scene as one of "unimaginable devastation." He recalled finding everyday items scattered among the debris, including car keys, glasses, false teeth, clothes, pets, and walking sticks, alongside bodies. He stated that the faces of a family he discovered huddled together have haunted him every night since.

Mr. Courtney, who joined the London Fire Brigade in 1997, also attended the 7/7 bombings in 2005 and a major earthquake in Morocco in 2023. Despite these experiences and receiving the Humanitarian Medal from King Charles at Buckingham Palace in 2025 for his work in north Africa, he identified the Grenfell Tower aftermath as the most traumatising event of his career. He described experiencing nightmares and waking up screaming, initially struggling to sleep and function.

He eventually sought help nine months after the event, stating that a senior officer's intervention was crucial in getting him support. Mr. Courtney has since undergone Trauma Risk Management sessions and shared his experiences with colleagues, learning to live with the constant presence of the memories.

Mr. Courtney is retiring from the brigade on November 29. He has been involved in initiatives such as the Gratitude Games, which aim to raise awareness and funds for the mental health of emergency responders.