Fire chief says 999 crews could help care for dementia sufferers
IAIN SMITH
enhanced home fire safety visits catered to specialised needs.
He said: “We must adapt to meet this changing risk, which also includes an ageing population that is increasingly calling on our skills and our support to stay safe.
“We can do more to help them to stay safe within their homes.”
He added: “Our crews have already been responding to victims of an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest where they are nearer to the patient, reducing response times.
“They work quickly and effectively as a team, performing CPR or using defibrillators to stabilise the patient, keeping them alive until the arrival of our skilled ambulance service partners.
“There are people alive today and enjoying precious time with their families because we identified yet another opportunity to assist – and we acted.
“Firefighters are proud of the vital role they perform. We therefore need to discuss and consider all options of how our amazing public service adapts and responds to the changing needs of our communities.”
Denise Christie, Fire Brigade Union Scotland regional official, argued plans to expand the role of their members must be matched with a commitment to funding.
She said: “If you want to expand the role... there needs to be further discussions on pay. We need more investment and more firefighters.”
The changing role of fire crews could include duties such as assisting with trips and falls in homes and helping paramedics and carers with the care of elderly people
Lord George Foulkes, chairman of Age Scotland, welcomed the plans and said the organisation would be keen to work with the service to develop any initiatives.
He said: “Being safe in your own home is a vital part of enjoying later life. The fire and rescue service is well placed to provide support to older people, as a trusted service, not just in relation to fire prevention and safety but also in helping to keep vulnerable older people, such as those with dementia, safe in their own homes.”
Professor June Andrews, adviser to The Dementia Services Development Trust charity, added: “Firefighters are an instantly trusted profession and a lot of old people recognise and are glad to see them and feel safe with them.”
Rose Jackson, chairman of the Scottish Pensioners Forum, welcomed the idea in principle, but raised concerns about stripping funding from other emergency services.
“For this to work, firefighters will have to be trained and will also need to be paid for what they are doing.
“I would also hope it would not just lead to cuts in other areas such as paramedics.”
Harry Redknapp’s wife sent him to the doctor.