Firefighters across the Isle of Wight and the rest of the country will now be able to deliver food and medicines, drive ambulances and even retrieve dead bodies in an unprecedented agreement between the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) and fire chiefs.
For the first time, stakeholders have agreed on a joint national approach to the coronavirus crisis. The fire service organisations say that the measures in the agreement reflect the scale of the national crisis and the urgency of the response required.
Under the agreement, firefighters will be able to deliver essential items like food and medicines to vulnerable people, drive ambulances and assist ambulance staff and retrieve dead bodies should the outbreak cause mass casualties.
Firefighters across the Island – both wholetime and retained – will continue responding to core emergencies, such as fires and road traffic collisions, but under the agreement can now provide additional services specifically related to COVID-19. The agreement states that core responsibilities must be maintained throughout the crisis.
Organisations will meet weekly to discuss any additional requests for assistance made by the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Local Resilience Forum and Strategic Coordination Groups. Any activities considered will be risk assessed with fire and rescue personnel being given any necessary additional training and the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
The additional work taken on by firefighters will be temporary to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic. Initially in place for 2 months, the agreement can be extended or shortened if agreed between all parties.
Matt Wrack, FBU general secretary, has said:
“We face a public health crisis unparalleled in our lifetimes. The coronavirus outbreak is now a humanitarian emergency and firefighters rightly want help their communities.
“To get through this, we must find ways to work together with other emergency services. Firefighters are fantastic at teamwork, are experienced in driving emergency vehicles and, as a service rooted in the community, may be best placed to deliver essential items to the most vulnerable.
“Many fear the loss of life in this outbreak could be overwhelming– and firefighters, who often handle terrible situations and incidents, are ready to step in to assist with body retrieval.
“Firefighters and control staff have always stepped in when the public has been in danger and this crisis is no different. The strain on all emergency services will be great, but we can and will get through it together.”
Roy Wilsher, Chair of the National Fire Chiefs Council, said:
“All fire services are working to protect communities during COVID-19 and they will use their wide-range of capabilities and skills to ensure community reassurance and support; doing what they can to support people through this crisis.
“This joined-up approach is testament to the three organisations working together, to ensure fire and rescue services can be at the forefront of the response to the current situation. I look forward to continuing this joined-up work with the National Employers and FBU.”
Hopefully not at the same time !!
And hopefully they won’t deliver the wrong item.
It puts a whole new slant on “unexpected item in the bagging area”!
“many fear could be overwhelming” touch of project fear about this, not exactly upbeat !! un-necessarily sensational
You forgot the ‘loss of life’, which could be overwhelming for the system to cope with. Buildings on the island are already being looked at as make shift morgues.
Excellent news
Still have those afraid of hearing the truth one sees. What is it with people, face up to it, and prepare for the worst, as if anything, authorities are playing this down, not up.
Our fire fighters are not shying away, and neither should we from the truth. Denial is stupid, this is a dire situation, and only strength not weakness will be a benefit to all.
Watched people in suits and masks measuring hospital car park a few days ago from home.
Maybe chiller trailers
New triage tents ?
I hope all of those making jokes about this are starting to realise that this is serious. The Island is going to be hit much harder than other places because we have no isolation hospital, high numbers of older people and an influx of tourists that will not have been tested, and are still able to come over.
We do not have enough medical equipment or staff to deal with what is happening. I work at St Mary’s and I am trying my best to wake people up to the fact that this Island is so vulnerable when we are allowing the Tourist Board to dictate instead of the Government. We must stop people coming over here now. Please lobby Bob Seeley to act to get ferry travel restricted and all camp sites and caravan parks, B& B’s, holiday lets etc. to close or be fined for breaking the law.
I’ve already written to Mr Seeley and received his usual automated reply. I really cannot understand why non essential ferry travel is continuing when safeguarding us all is so easy. Yes of course it would effect the bottom line of the ferry companies but I ask how many people have to die before we see proper leadership from our MP? Come on Bob please get a grip.
I quite agree with you. The IOW is in a unique position to protect our people so WHY ON EARTH HAS IT NOT BEEN DONE? STOP NON ESSENTIAL TRAVEL TO AND FROM OUR ISLAND NOW.
Makes the FBU sound like hero’s when this should be a standard procedure in times of national emergency!
Sounds like they will require extra pay unlike the volunteers stepping in to help our country!
As well as a “risk assessment” with no doubt danger pay if a fast delivery is required!
On top of their £24,000 p.a. pay
Sue G… my fiance is a retained firefighter on the island as are most of the islands fire stations… they don’t do this for the money or the glory, they do this for their local community, it’s attitudes and misinformation like yours that leaves a sour taste…. I am high risk should I catch Covid19, however I would never ask my other half to step down from a service he has loyally served for over 20 years.
Scarlett – if you are a high risk why don’t you catch this virus and die (do us all a favour) and free up space for someone more deserving!
You might even get your fiancé to remove you in his big red engine!
You sound pathetic!
Scarlett – Your the one that leaves a sour taste!
SCARLETT … Your comments do not make any sense whatsoever
Can we see your evidence for their extra pay? Or will they just be doing it when they are on watch?
Sally, did you fail the fire brigade recruitment process in the past? You sound bitter!
Surprised it needs an agreement, would have thought that there would have been procedures in place for this type of thing happening in our country and Unions would be expected to comply (not agree to)
It’s a national emergency, and it should be standard procedure for all agencies, including the armed services, territorials etc etc to multitask. I’ve no doubt the guys on the ground are more than willing and able, they already get called in to remove people from difficult places as part of their remit. Seems a bit overhyped news, although we do need to be prepared for the worst.