Fire service provides help to medics

A number of firefighters have volunteered to provide additional support to the region’s ambulance service.

South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SECAmb) has been working closely with its emergency service colleagues since the start of the pandemic.

During the first wave a number of firefighters received special training from SECAmb to provide additional support. Support has also included fire service staff helping to deliver medical supplies and equipment.

SECAmb has recently been working with the East and West Sussex fire services to provide refresher training, initially to 18 firefighters, to enable them to step up to drive ambulances if and when required, taking into account local agreements and needs.

A SECAmb spokesman said: “When working, they will be paired with a member of ambulance staff on set shifts in line with patient demand.

“The numbers of firefighters available to assist is expected to increase as further training takes place.”

SECAmb executive director of operations Joe Garcia said: “I am always incredibly grateful for the support of our fire service partners and especially so throughout this pandemic.

“I am pleased that we have a number of previously trained firefighters, who have undergone refresher training, ready to support their ambulance service colleagues as required.

“We look forward to working with them and more of their colleagues to strengthen our resilience.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all our partner organisations for the support they continue to provide during this period of increased pressure.”

West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service (WSFRS) chief fire officer Sabrina Cohen-Hatton said: “We are ready, willing and able to support our colleagues across the county as we deal with the Covid-19 pandemic.

“During the first wave of the pandemic we offered our support to SECAmb in a number of ways including collecting personal protective equipment (PPE) and other essential clinical supplies, mechanical engineering support, and fire staff were trained for the mixed crewing of ambulances if required.

“Throughout the pandemic, WSFRS has robust resilience and business continuity plans to ensure the safety of its firefighters at all times, in order to maintain both community support, and maintain our critical fire and rescue activities of prevention, protection and response.”