Union outcry over 999 terror protection confusion

Insurance companies who refuse to pay out to families of emergency workers killed or injured while assisting at terrorist incidents were today branded "a disgrace" by a leading union.

Unison, the largest public sector union, called on the insurance sector to drop exclusion clauses on terrorist incidents and offer comprehensive protection to emergency personnel who put their lives on the line to protect the public and care for the injured.

The issue came to light after Somerset firefighters organised a strike, later suspended, over the lack of protection some of them face if they are injured while responding to a biological or chemical terrorist attack.

Emergency workers are automatically covered under their terms and conditions of employment in the event of injury or death while dealing with a terrorist incident, but not all private insurance policies cover injuries sustained in such eventualities.

The Fire Brigade Union claims it has repeatedly approached the office of the deputy prime minister over the past year, after it emerged that some personal insurance policies - such as mortgage protection policies - will not pay up if a firefighter is killed or injured while responding to a terrorist incident.

Since 9/11, the fire service has been given significant new duties, equipment and training to deal with terrorist incidents, as part of the modernisation programme being rolled out by fire authorities across the country.

Fire crews in Somerset had balloted for strike action to start tomorrow, but decided to suspend industrial action until the end of the month after agreeing to set up a joint working party with management. The committee will investigate details of the personal insurance provision of Somerset fire service personnel.

The group will report back to a joint meeting on September 2 at the latest, which will aim to reach an agreement.

The industrial action will be suspended until this joint meeting. Somerset fire and rescue service has agreed not to begin any new training on Incident Response Units until then.

Emergency workers across different disciplines could find themselves without insurance protection, it emerged.

A spokeswoman for Unison, which represents ambulance staff, said: "It is a disgrace that some personal insurance policies would not pay out to families of emergency workers killed or injured dealing with a terrorist incident."
Sam Oestreicher, Unison national officer for ambulance staff said: "All ambulance trusts must train at least 10% of their crews to deal with chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear emergencies. At this time of heightened security, we should all be grateful that staff volunteer to undertake this training.
"That is why it is so shocking to learn that some insurance companies would leave emergency workers and their families high and dry, if they were injured or killed dealing with this type of emergency."

The Association of British Insurers, which represents half the 800 companies selling insurance in the country, said it was "quite easy" to shop around for policies that cover terrorist incidents.

Their spokesman continued: "As far as we are concerned there is no issue. There is no different between members of emergency services and anyone else. If you want a policy that covers a specific eventuality, that can be purchased."

Several insurance companies which exclude acts of terrorism waived the clause following the July 7 bombings in the heart of London.

The Prudential, Axa, Norwich Union and Legal & General reassured policyholders that no exclusions would apply.