ICI CHEMICAL FIRE

One of the firefighters who fought the Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI) chemical fire in 1984 has died. Tony (Anthony) Jennings had cancer for over two years and many people feel the illness was a result of fighting the ICI fire. Judy Gallagher, wife of a firefighter, condemns the Fire Services Commission and the Health Department because they have taken no action and for their disbelief of associated illnesses of the firefighters involved in fighting the ICI fire. Fireman Royd Kennedy says that the uniform and gear has not changed since the fire and he complains that there has been no recognition of chemical poisoning. He talks about some of the effects that the firefighters have had. Minister of Health David Caygill is considering requests to set up a full medical inquiry into the effects of the ICI fire on the firefighters involved. He talks about whether there is a need to conduct an inquiry. Midday Report - ICI general manager for chemicals Graham Boyd talks about offers for support of an inquiry into the long term ill health effects from the fire.