The Sunderland Echo report:
FIREFIGHTERS took almost 400 days off work in the last two years due to stress-related problems.
A Freedom of Information request by the Echo has also revealed the number of days lost to stress by both operational and non-operational firefighters at Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) rocketed from 89 in 2010, to 283 in 2011. In 2012, the figure fell to 111 days.
Meanwhile, 313 shifts were lost at County Durham and Darlington Fire Service from between January and March this year alone.