Firefighters on the Isle of Wight are set to drive ambulances to emergency calls to cope with a 40% surge in demand for Isle of Wight Ambulance Service.
As the Island continues to manage the impacts of the rising number of COVID-19 cases, partner organisations continue to join forces to support each other, support frontline critical workers and support the community.
Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service (IWFRS) firefighters will be working with the Isle of Wight Ambulance Service (IOWAS) over the coming days and weeks to support patients with the care they need, including ambulance driving duties.
Kathryn Taylor of the Isle of Wight Ambulance Service has said:
“The Ambulance Service is currently seeing an increased demand of 40% against this time last year. The support from the fire and rescue officers will mean that we are able to continue to respond to calls and provide the community with the care they need.
“We are really grateful to have them working alongside us. We really welcome the support of our Fire and Rescue Service colleagues during this unprecedented time.”
The fire service has trained to undertake this offer of mutual aid to the ambulance service and volunteer officers will be building on joint-working relationships that already exist. Driver training has been taking place for months in preparation for this eventuality.
Councillor Dave Stewart, Leader of the Isle of Wight Council, said:
“The rising number of COVID-19 cases on the Island has pushed our emergency services to this move.
“Plans to undertake these activities are not new; they are well tested and trained for. We didn’t ever want to be in a position where they were necessary; but that’s where we find ourselves now.
“Slowing the spread of the virus will help us and our NHS colleagues to maintain critical Island services in support of the COVID-19 response. Please stay at home and play your part in bringing infection rates under control by minimising contact with people outside of your household or support bubble”.
Darren Claydon of IOWAS adds:
“Our emergency services are working together, saving lives we ask the Island community to continue to do what we are all being asked to do, as individuals to all work together in responding to the pandemic.”
And what’s wrong with asking the people who have lost their jobs im sure they would be grateful of some work
Prob is, you likely need to have a different licence or test or something I would guess. Plus these guys have had the experience of fast driving, not panic in dire situations and had CRB or whatever check.
Safety gear, PPE etc is all common place and how to handle people is a given with these guys.
By the time the unemployed were vetted, it is easier to use professionals I assume.
Well said sir, this is one of the best posts i have read on here for ages.
Makes perfect sense
Patterson how you getting on with it all
What a stupid comment!
Are there many unemployed trained in advanced first aid and cpr and advanced fast response driving – what a tool you are!
It wasn’t a comment it was a question.
And I don’t know how many unemployed advanced drivers have lost their jobs.
You bigger tool.
These guys are so versatile, fires, RTA’s, recusing hurt or trapped animals, now this. Full respect guys, thanks.
In the London Ambulance Service area, recently retired and suitably qualified blue light drivers are being employed as ambulance drivers. I know that because a former colleague of mine has been recruited. Is there any reason not to use this strategy here? If serving fire officers are deployed, what happens if there is a major incident, requiring full deployment of the brigade and which also involves multiple casualties such as an air crash?
If theres a major incident with multiple casualties, then they will probably need some ambulances to turn up as well, even ones driven by firefighters.
I would imagine retained firefighters are being used for ambulances, and the fire brigade is diminished very little.
Any incident that size will require mainland fire engines anyway.
Just wondering why ‘Dave’ the ‘leader’ thinks it’s essential to make a statement here when it’s nothing to do with him ? To try and claim credit and look amazing ? – it’s going to take more than that I’m afraid .