East Midlands Ambulance Service declare "critical incident" for first time
EMAS say they've called the "critical incident" partly because of flooding
East Midlands Ambulance Service has declared its first ever critical incident after flooding hit the region.
In a statement, EMAS say they raised their resource escalation plan to a level four back in November 2024. That's the highest possible, which indicates a potential for failures. They now say they're launching a critical incident.
EMAS say its due to "significant patient demand, pressure within hospitals and flooding" which has led to them "putting out more ambulance resource than ever before".
EMAS covers Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Rutland, Northamptonshire and Lincolnshire.
The trust said the declaration was a "formal ask" of partner services to help "mitigate the risk for people in our communities".
This includes asking hospitals for the rapid release of ambulances from hospital departments to enable the service to respond to life-threatening emergencies.
Flooding has been responsible for disruption across the East Midlands on Monday and Tuesday, with a major incident declared in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland - with firefighters having to rescue 59 people and receiving more than 380 calls on Monday (06/01).
On Monday evening, the Environment Agency issued a severe, risk-to-life flood warning for a stretch of the River Soar in Barrow upon Soar.
It said rising levels at the Pillings Lock posed a risk to properties at a nearby marina and caravan park.
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