15 ambulances crewed, 9 million items of PPE delivered and two babies!

A report has highlighted the work of fire and rescue services across Dorset and the south west during the first national lockdown.

With our NHS and community care workers facing unprecedented challenges from COVID-19 on the frontline, south west FRS chiefs say they are immensely proud of the contribution made by their staff across the region.

Firefighters from Dorset supported ambulance teams across the south west to help prevent paramedics being overwhelmed by pressure between March and May.

During that time, firefighters delivered two babies, 9 million items of PPE and crewed 15 ambulances.

Some of the other key highlights from the report covering the period between 24 March to 21 May, during the first national lockdown, include:

More than 200 volunteers supported the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust

2.5% weekly increase in ambulance capacity

75 immediately life-threatening (or ‘Category 1’) calls attended

More than 1,200 calls allocated to FRS-crewed ambulances

One non-COVID-19 major incident dealt with

Ben Ansell, Chief Fire Officer at Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, said:

“This report highlights how my staff from across Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole, Dorset, Wiltshire and Swindon supported our partners in 2020. Collaboration between our fire and rescue service and the ambulance service helped residents to get emergency medical care quickly when they needed it.”

“Many of our firefighters are highly trained emergency response drivers, accustomed to dealing with emergency situations and I know they wanted to help in any way they could during this crisis. Our staff have also worked with other partners across our Service area to provide food for those in need, face fit testing for those needing to wear masks and mortuary support roles when this was sadly needed.

"This has all been in addition to our prevention, protection and emergency response roles, which saw the Service respond to, and deal with, one of the largest major incident wildfires in living memory in Wareham Forest. I am extremely grateful for the commitment and professionalism of all my staff in working in partnership to keep our communities safe.”