Oxfordshire firefighters to support ambulance service in emergency calls

Firefighters in Oxfordshire have volunteered to support South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) with their response to emergency calls.
Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue has teamed up with ambulance services to help with emergency callsOxfordshire Fire and Rescue has teamed up with ambulance services to help with emergency calls
Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue has teamed up with ambulance services to help with emergency calls

The move comes in response to the coronavirus pandemic and following a national agreement between The Fire Brigade’s Union, the National Employers and the National Fire Chief Chief’s Council.

Oxfordshire County Council Fire and Rescue Service staff, who have volunteered to help their blue light partner, will be using their emergency response driving capability and their medical skills to support SCAS to respond to emergency calls.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

They will be trained to respond to all emergency calls under the supervision of a SCAS team member and will have all the necessary personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect themselves.

Oxfordshire’s Fire Brigades Union has supported and assisted development of the initiative.

Steve Wright, from Oxfordshire’s Fire Brigade’s Union (FBU), said: “The FBU are aware of the challenges that all of us are facing during the coronavirus pandemic.

“We are committed to protecting our members and the communities we serve. Our communities are pulling together to get through this period of uncertainty and so are Oxfordshire’s emergency services.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“The FBU are grateful to Oxfordshire County Council Fire and Rescue Service’s Gold Command Team, who have worked tirelessly with SCAS to ensure our firefighters who are supporting the ambulance service, will have the appropriate training and PPE. We’re all here to protect our residents and to do this, we must ensure the safety of personnel is a top priority.”

Assistant Chief Fire Officer, Jo Bowcock, from the Fire and Rescue Service, said: “We are pleased to offer support to a blue light partner in order to better protect and respond to the needs of our communities during such an unprecedented time.

“Our ability to release a small number of people is only possible as a result of the collaborative work with the local FBU and the commitment of our firefighters to keeping fire engines available. We also recognise the dedication of our fire and rescue support staff to keep our critical services available.”