South West emergency services called to 610 incidents in January

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue helped save the lives of nine people last month.

They have been supporting South Western Ambulance Service (SWASFT), and spent more than 1,000 hours at incidents in January.

Teams were called to 610 emergency incidents, 106 were for urgent or life-threatening illnesses or injuries.

Here is the full breakdown of how ambulance-driving firefighters helped paramedics last month:

• 610 emergency incidents, of which 106 were Category 1 incidents (urgent or life-threatening illnesses or injuries)

• 290 were Category 2 incidents (emergency calls)

• A total of 1,082 hours actively engaged at incidents

• Saved the lives of nine people in cardiac arrest

Ambulance & Fire To Begin Covid-19 Winter Partnership

Back in October 2020, it was announced that SWASFT would partner up with fire service in the region to boost its COVID-19 emergency response this winter.

The mutual aid project - which first ran from April to August - sees fire personnel from Cornwall, Devon and Somerset, Dorset and Wiltshire, Avon and Gloucestershire fire and rescue services supporting the Trust from November until March.

Under the agreement, firefighters will support ambulance crews by driving vehicles and work alongside clinicians to provide care and assistance to patients.

The initiative is part of a wider plan intended to safeguard the Trust’s delivery of safe and effective patient care during anticipated surges in demand.

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• devon and somerset fire and rescue
• south western ambulance service