Willfirefightersbe told to tackle blazes and drug overdoses?
FIREFIGHTERS would be sent to tackle heroin overdoses under plans to combat Scotland’s shameful rate of drugs deaths.
Crews would be sent to ‘opioidrelated incidents’ as part of a major shake-up of the role of the fire service.
However, the plans will put the Scottish Government on a collision course with firefighters, who are ‘very, very wary’ of being asked to respond to overdoses.
Members of the public will also be concerned about anything that might affect crews’ ability to tackle house fires.
Scotland’s shocking drug deaths rate hit a record high of 1,339 in 2020 – far worse than elsewhere in the UK or Europe. This year looks likely to be even worse, with 722 deaths in the first six months.
Now, in a consultation document about the future of the fire service, Ministers have raised the prospect of deploying firefighters to try to help.
The Fire and Rescue Service Framework states: ‘There may also be scope for firefighters to respond to other types of emergency medical cases (such as opioid related incidents), subject to further consideration of the clinical evidence, engagement with relevant healthcare professionals, and meeting relevant training and welfare requirements for firefighters.’
That has alarmed the body representing rank and file firefighters.
Chris McGlone, of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU), said: ‘That is an area we’d be very nervous about. We know from police and paramedics it’s not as simple as giving someone an aspirin.
‘Depending on the levels of drug use, the depth of drug-induced coma, there could be quite a reaction. If you wake someone up, and they find their reaction neutralised, the reaction might not be “thank you very much”. They could be violent.’
Preventative work and safer homes and appliances have radically cut the number of house fires to less than half the level of 25 years ago. This has led to discussions about expanding the role of firefighters, who have recently been assisting the crisis-hit ambulance service.
There were trials of firefighters responding to cardiac arrests, as well as trips, slips and falls, but this was ultimately rejected in a ballot of FBU members.
Mr McGlone said they would be willing to listen to plans for further reform, but would be ‘very, very wary’, about asking crews to respond to drug overdoses.
Scottish Conservative justice spokesman Jamie Greene said: ‘Before firefighters undertake this sort of work, it is important that adequate safeguards are in place. Frontline firefighters must be consulted throughout the process.’
A Scottish Government spokesman said: ‘This consultation paves the way for further modernisation of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service [SFRS] so it can do more to keep communities safe.’
Deputy Chief Officer Ross Haggart, of the SFRS, said: ‘We welcome the Scottish Government’s consultation on the draft Fire and Rescue Framework and we would encourage everyone to have their say through the consultation process.’