Joint statement on the future of Fire Co-Responding in the South West
Joint statement from the Chief Executive of the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust and the Chief Fire Officers from Avon Fire and Rescue Service, Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, and Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service, regarding the future of Fire Co-Responding in the South West.
"Representatives of the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, including the Chief Executive met with the five Chief Fire Officers on Wednesday 30 July to discuss the future of Fire Co-Responding in the South West.
"The meeting was positive, and all Chief Executives reaffirmed their commitment to improving the safety of local communities and to ensure that by working together, the very best response to patients calling 999 can be achieved.
"The collective agreement is that the South Western Ambulance Service will continue with their plans to increase the number of Community First Responders across the South West whilst committing to not exiting any Fire Co-Responding scheme until appropriate backfill arrangements are in place.
"It was agreed that in a relatively small number of Fire Co-Responding stations where Fire Co-Responding activity is very low, that lifesaving equipment will be re-purposed by the Ambulance Service to make sure it is available for people who need it most. The Ambulance Service and the Fire and Rescue Services will work together to ensure that this is handled locally and that this is a joint process.
"The Chief Executive of South Western Ambulance Service took the opportunity to reiterate his thanks to Fire Co-Responders who have provided dedicated care to patients over the years.
"All Chief Executives stated that they look forward to continuing to work collaboratively in the future."