Dorset & Wiltshire firefighters to continue driving ambulances
Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue have been helping South Western Ambulance Service during the pandemic
Since the early stages of the pandemic, firefighters have been working with ambulance crews from South Western Ambulance Service to assist during medical emergencies. The partnership has led to countless lives being saved and received praise from government and royalty.
The shared crews have so far attended in excess of 30,000 calls, more than half of which are within the highest two priority calls, which are to people in life threatening or serious conditions.
With the current winter pressures on the NHS and surge in Omicron cases, this arrangement has been extended and will now continue until April 2022.
HRH The Duchess of Cornwall, visited firefighters, paramedics and hospital staff in Dorset & Wiltshire in July 2020.
Strong partnerships between fire and ambulance services aren’t new. Fire crews are often called upon to gain entry to houses so that paramedics can see to patients and many fire stations have staff who are trained to give basic life support to people until the arrival of an emergency ambulance.
Will Warrender, Chief Executive of South Western Ambulance Service, said: “We are delighted that Chief Fire Officers have agreed an extension to the very successful collaboration involving the fire service working alongside SWASFT staff on ambulances, providing driving and support skills. This helps us ensure the most effective care possible to communities right across the South West to boost our Covid-19 emergency response this winter.
“This partnership is even more vital as another wave of coronavirus affects the country and our service continues to experience increased demand alongside winter pressure placing significant pressures on our resources.
“In order to continue with effective and responsive patient care, we have been working with various partners and agencies, to manage this challenge and are extremely grateful for the invaluable support we have received during the pandemic, from the region’s five fire and rescue services.’’
Dorset & Wiltshire FRS Chief Fire Officer Ben Ansell said: “Firefighters from right across our Service, and the wider South West, have been supporting the Ambulance Service since April 2020. I am extremely grateful to them all for their support.
“Many of our firefighters are highly trained emergency response drivers, accustomed to dealing with emergency situations and I know they want to help in any way they can during the pandemic.
“Agencies have been working closely together throughout the pandemic so far to help keep residents safe, and the collaboration between our fire and rescue service and the ambulance service helps to ensure our residents get medical care quickly, when they need it. Our firefighters are able to use their transferable skills to support the ambulance service and the wider community in a variety of challenging roles, and I am incredibly proud of the work they are doing.”