Firefighters ‘will help to retrieve bodies of dead’

Agreement in place if virus crisis reaches Italy levels

FIREFIGHTERS could be drafted in to move dead bodies if the coronavirus crisis worsens. Crews will also be able to help ensure food and medical supplies are delivered to keep essential supplies moving.

An agreement between the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) and employers has seen a national approach to helping during the crisis.

The FBU said the agreement is at a national level, but it allows for these duties to be agreed locally.

It would also allow for firefighters to retrieve dead bodies, should the outbreak cause mass casualties.

The agreement is one of many contingencies being put in place should the numbers escalate to the levels seen in other European countries such as Italy and Spain.

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman has said that sites are being looked at to increase hospital provision and the possibility of the army being called on to set up a field hospital in Glasgow has been discussed.

The plan would be similar to the use of the ExCeL arena in London as a temporary hospital – with the SEC being taken over as one possibility.

The venue said it was ready to support the NHS and that it was possible it could be used as alternative hospital provision.

The FBU said firefighters were ready and willing to help communities.

Matt Wrack, FBU general secretary, said: “We face a public health crisis unparalleled in our lifetimes. The coronavirus outbreak is now a humanitarian emergency and firefighters rightly want help their communities.

“To get through this, we must find ways to work together with other emergency services.

“Firefighters are fantastic at teamwork, are experienced in driving emergency vehicles and, as a service rooted in the community, may be best placed to deliver essential items to the most vulnerable.

“Many fear the loss of life in this outbreak could be overwhelming – and firefighters, who often handle terrible situations and incidents – are ready to step in to assist with body retrieval. Firefighters and control staff have always stepped in when the public has been in danger and this crisis is no different.

“The strain on all emergency services will be great, but we can and will get through it together.”

The agreement is in place for two months but could be extended.

Firefighters will continue responding to core emergencies, such as fires and road traffic collisions.

Firefighters may be best placed to deliver essential items to the vulnerable