FIREFIGHTERS claim they have fallen ill after training at Holme Pierrepont.
A group of firefighters from the south-west claimed compensation after allegedly becoming infected by campylobacter bacteria during a course at the National Watersports Centre, which requires them to be submerged for long periods, it emerged yesterday.
The bug can cause sickness and diarrhoea. The Fire Brigades Union claims that some members will suffer lifelong bowel problems as a result.
Phil Coates, of the union's Notts branch, said: "Notts firefighters have also been poisoned by this bacteria.
"If we did a course with, say, 12 firefighters involved, the next day at least eight of them would be off sick.
"We have now stopped doing underwater training courses at Holme Pierrepont."
However, Notts assistant chief fire officer David Horton disputed the union's claims and said: "We did not stop using the National Water Sports Centre.
"It was the centre's decision to stop making it available for training.
"We have not had a single case of a gastro-intestinal condition with a proven link to a training session at the National Water Sports Centre."
A spokesman for Notts County Council, which owns the centre, confirmed that firefighters' training no longer took place there.
He said: "In autumn 2012, the National Water Sports Centre and county council was made aware of a number of people who claimed that the underwater training was linked to subsequent illness.
"Whilst the link is not proven, as a precaution the county council took the decision to suspend submerged underwater training activity.
"The National Water Sports Centre takes the health and safety of all users extremely seriously.
"There are daily tests of the water quality, hygiene advice is provided to all users and everyone using the site is reminded that the white-water course is fed from a natural river source.
"Around 15,000 people take part in activities on the water every year, from those trying water sports for the first time to Olympic champions.
"Complaints about users suffering subsequent illness linked to use of the facilities are rare."
