TRIBUTES have poured in for Pembrokeshire scaffolding company boss Jozef Polak following news of his death.

Jozef, who ran the firm JP, is remembered as a warm-hearted, larger-than-life character in the community. Those who knew him said he was the sort of person who would step in to help without hesitation — and who brought humour and energy wherever he went.

On social media, messages quickly filled with heartbreak and affection. “My best mate… taken too soon,” wrote Adam Rogers. Timothy Jones added: “Sad news. RIP mate,” while Gareth Williams said: “RIP Joe thoughts with all the family”.

Several people spoke about his personality and generosity. Ginge Davies said: “Rip JP truly a great guy… a complete nutter with a heart of gold… he was such a good laugh,” adding his thoughts were with Jozef’s family, friends and Johnston FC.

Others remembered him from childhood as kind and well mannered. Simon Narbett wrote: “Spent many weekends around our house as a kid in Johnston… always very polite and well mannered boy, nice family too. RIP Jozef.”

The sense of shock was clear in many posts. “Shocked hear this news tonight r.i.p mate,” wrote Adrian Griffiths, while Stephen Evans said: “Really shocked to hear this tonight RIP JP.” Rob Griff added: “So sad to hear this, life can be so cruel… He sure was a Character!!”

Jozef was also a long-standing supporter of The Pembrokeshire Herald, advertising regularly and remaining a valued customer for 13 years. The Herald team worked with him on a number of stories over that period, including the controversial collapse of Mustang Marine, which left a number of contractors out of pocket.

Johnston Football Club said Jozef was central to the life of the club and the wider village, describing him as a “club legend” whose backing helped shape one of the most successful periods in its history.

The club said his association began at the start of the century through his father’s sponsorship, with Jozef stepping up his involvement around 2012 — a period that culminated in Johnston lifting the West Wales Cup.

They said his support was constant and practical, helping fund more than 20 senior team kits along with junior and minis kits, balls, training tops, tracksuits and other essentials. His generosity also extended to bailing the club out with work needed on the changing rooms, adding: “We never had to ask twice.”

In recent years, Johnston said, it became almost routine to ring him when something needed doing. “He’d simply ask, ‘How much do you want?’” the club said.

They ended their tribute: “RIP to a true legend of the club.”

THE OLDER People’s Commissioner for Wales has urged the Welsh Government to create a dedicated support scheme for households in financial hardship, warning that older people are being left behind by existing initiatives.

Responding to the announcement of a new Crisis and Resilience Fund in England worth £1bn a year from April, Commissioner Rhian Bowen-Davies said Wales should use any consequential funding to establish a similar scheme here.

She said: “With the announcement that a new Crisis and Resilience fund worth £1bn a year is set to be launched in England from April to provide financial support to households that are struggling, there is an opportunity to use consequential funding to establish a similar scheme here in Wales.

“This is something I have been calling for, including in my recently published Priorities for the Next Welsh Government paper, as the criteria used by existing initiatives often leaves older people who are struggling financially excluded from being able to access vital support.”

The Commissioner said financial hardship carries a heavy cost, not only for individuals but also for public services.

“We know that financial hardship has a significant cost – both in terms of the impact on people’s health and well-being, and the subsequent increased pressures on public services,” she said.

“Investing in tackling these issues would help to prevent people from reaching crisis point, reducing costs and pressures while also – importantly – improving people’s quality of life and supporting them to age well.

“That’s why establishing a Resilience fund must be a priority here in Wales.”

NEW figures have highlighted the physical toll faced by firefighters in Wales as emergency services continue to respond to rising demand and increasing operational pressure.

Data obtained by Accident Claims Advice shows that more than 100 firefighters employed by Mid and West Wales Fire & Rescue Service sustained injuries while on duty over the past three years.

Firefighting remains one of the most hazardous public sector roles in the UK. Crews are routinely deployed to building fires, serious road traffic collisions and hazardous incidents, often working in extreme heat, unstable environments and emotionally challenging situations while handling heavy equipment.

National data underlines the wider picture. In England, official figures for the year ending March 2024 recorded 2,408 on-duty firefighter injuries, with around 40% occurring during frontline operational incidents such as fires, rescues and emergency callouts.

Within Mid and West Wales, the number of injuries recorded peaked in 2023/24, when 41 firefighters were hurt while working. The most recent year saw a modest reduction, with 38 injuries reported.

Since 2022, firefighters have made seven claims against the service in connection with workplace injuries, resulting in total compensation payments of £56,469.

Common injuries reported include burns, smoke inhalation, musculoskeletal injuries, slips and falls, and impact injuries caused by falling debris or collapsing structures. National reviews have repeatedly pointed to factors such as reduced staffing, rising incident complexity and ageing infrastructure as contributors to increased workplace risk across fire and rescue services.

Further figures obtained by Accident Claims Advice show that slips, trips and falls were the most frequent cause of injury within Mid and West Wales Fire & Rescue Service over the past three years, accounting for 30 incidents. This was followed by sprains and strains, which led to 20 injuries.

Speaking about the need for increased investment, Adam Taylor, Fire Brigades Union national officer, said: “Too often firefighters are not being provided with the basic equipment and training they need to keep themselves and the public safe.

“Without proper PPE, firefighters face an impossible choice between heat stroke and exposing themselves to burns, either from flames or the sun.

“We urgently need investment to sort out this problem. We also need national standards on equipment and training, as well as response times and crewing levels.”

Mid and West Wales Fire & Rescue Service operates 58 fire stations, serving communities across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Neath Port Talbot, Pembrokeshire, Powys, and the City and County of Swansea.

Injury data shows that the service’s internal departments recorded the highest number of staff injuries, with 37 incidents. Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire each logged 29 injuries over the same three-year period.

Accident Claims Advice offers support to people injured at work and can advise on whether they may have grounds to make a claim. The organisation operates a 24-hour helpline and also provides an online claim form via its website.