Nominations are now open for Ireland’s fire and rescue services crews to enter the Invisible Risk Awards 2026, which will recognise outstanding efforts to reduce contaminants, address responder cancer cases, and improve well-being arising from these incidents.
Chief fire officers and senior managers from Ireland, the UK and further afield have been strongly encouraged to nominate their fire and rescue services for the Invisible Risk Awards 2026, by John Lord, Training Specialist in Incident Management and MD at SimTrainer UK*.
He noted that the awards scheme is also open to Ireland’s Gardaí, airport police personnel and all first responders, “because cancer respects no one, we all need to start protecting staff and to provide them with better mental health supports”. He added: “Share what you have achieved, explain how you measured success and outline your ambition to progress methods in tackling contamination.”
Award Categories:
• Local Authority Fire and Rescue, including Fire Investigation.
• Airport Fire, Rescue and Defence Services.
• Non-Fire Agencies (police, ambulance, coastguard etc).
• Industrial Response (refinery teams, power and related sectors).
• Innovation (manufacturers of equipment, processes, RPE, PPE in tackling contaminants and responder cancer).
• Training Centres (including a special mention category for international entries).
• Martin Green Award – This special award recognises an individual who has made a significant difference in the fight against contaminants.
NOTE: The close date for all nominations is Wednesday 1 October. No further entries will be accepted after that date. The Awards Day will take place in Spring 2026 (date to be confirmed).
Nominations to submitted on this application form. A maximum of three finalists will be selected per category. Finalists will be invited to attend the awards day and share a short presentation on their work to tackle the ‘invisible risk’. Nominations will be reviewed and scored by the volunteer awards committee.
*SimTrainer UK specialises in creating bespoke, simulated training courses for those working in aviation fire and rescue, emergency response fire and rescue, or personnel first on the incident scene where there is a threat to life, property or environment.
