FIREFIGHTERS are to be called on to attend medical emergencies, thanks to the launch of East Yorkshire's first Emergency First Responder scheme.
More than 70 firefighters at seven fire stations in the Humberside Fire and Rescue area will soon be responding to selected emergency calls in support of the ambulance service.
The Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust (YAS) and Humberside Fire and Rescue Service (HFRS) scheme is officially being launched today.
It was trialled at Pocklington Fire Station during 2013 and volunteer fire service staff have now received training at Market Weighton, Howden, Goole, Driffield, Brough and Snaith fire stations, with additional locations planned for later in the year.
David Whiting, chief executive at YAS, said: "We have a responsibility to ensure we explore every available option to improve clinical outcomes for people in Humberside and the East Riding and we are delighted to be working in partnership with HFRS on the launch of the county's first Emergency First Responder scheme.
"We have a clear ambition to improve the survival rate for those people who suffer from a cardiac arrest in the community.
"We want to have world-class levels of survival from cardiac arrest and the launch of this initiative is one more important element in saving more lives."
Each EFR has been trained in basic life support, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and oxygen therapy. They are equipped with a kit which includes oxygen and an automated external defibrillator (AED).
An EFR will be sent at the same time as an ambulance and will not replace the usual emergency medical response from YAS. However, because an EFR may be closer to the scene than an ambulance, it is hoped they will deliver life-saving care in the first critical minutes of a medical emergency.
Mr Whiting said: "Humberside and the East Riding are already served by our award-winning Community First Responder teams who do a fantastic job as volunteers in their local areas.
"The addition of Emergency First Responders will further strengthen our response in these communities and the two models will work side-by-side to save more lives."
'We aim to reach and save those in danger'
EMERGENCY First Responders are only available for dispatch when staffing levels at their fire station allow and the scheme will not affect fire cover.
Chief fire officer Dene Sanders said: "I am delighted that the trial at Pocklington was such a success and that the scheme will now be rolled out across more of our stations across the East Riding.
"Our firefighters have received exceptional training from Yorkshire Ambulance Service and are looking forward to offering their assistance to patients through the scheme.
"The over-riding aim of Humberside Fire and Rescue Service is to protect our communities and reach and save those in danger who are in need of our help as quickly as possible.
"This joined-up approach can only enhance the service we provide and will improve patient outcomes across the East Riding."
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