After Firefighter's Death in Varėna District, Unpleasant Truth Emerges: This Is Not the First Loss

A recent tragedy in Lithuania's Varėna district, where a firefighter died while on duty, has cast a spotlight on the health and age of municipal firefighters. Rimas Čiuryla, 54, collapsed while responding to a call to remove a fallen tree, and despite immediate resuscitation efforts, he could not be saved. Initial reports suggest a heart attack was the cause of death, but the incident has ignited a debate about the rigorousness of health checks for these essential workers.

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There are cases where municipal firefighters are allowed to work despite serious health problems, such as asthma.

Renatas Požėla, the head of the Fire and Rescue Department, expressed concern that the issue extends beyond the age of rescuers. He pointed to the quality of health checks, noting that some municipal firefighters are permitted to work despite serious health conditions, such as asthma. This raises serious questions about the oversight and medical evaluations conducted for those in non-statutory roles.

The situation is compounded by the fact that statutory firefighters undergo medical examinations by the Ministry of the Interior's Medical Center, while municipal firefighters rely on family doctors. Miroslav Gerasimovičius, chairman of the Firefighters' Union, suggested that these checks might be more formal than thorough, contrasting them with the more stringent procedures for statutory officers. He noted that statutory officers rarely die during duty, while municipal firefighters face more frequent fatalities, possibly due to less rigorous checks.

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The checks are probably much simpler than when you go to your local clinic and limit yourself to a conversation with a family doctor.

Adding to the concerns, Požėla highlighted that about a third of the 300 municipal teams operate with only one person, especially during the summer. He argued that a second rescuer could potentially save a life. The union is advocating for an age limit, suggesting firefighters should not work past 65, and questioning the current system where municipal firefighters can work indefinitely as long as their health permits, with no strict age cap.

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We calculated that out of 300 teams, at least during the summer period, about a third are on duty alone. The presence of a second person could save a life here and now.