A union is opposing plans for firefighters to respond to medical emergencies, branding the idea “half baked”. Avon Fire & Rescue Service (AFRS) wants to expand its partnership work with South Western Ambulance Service (SWAST) where fire crews can reach someone suffering a suspected cardiac arrest before paramedics and administer potentially life-saving treatment.
Firefighters have been driving ambulances and assisting during medical emergencies since the early stages of the pandemic, and this agreement was recently extended until April 2022. Avon Fire Authority (AFA) will be asked to approve a three-year service plan on Wednesday (March 30) including a potential expansion of crews’ medical roles.
But a report to the meeting says the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) is against the proposals, while a circular to FBU members says any additional duties must come with appropriate pay, training and support and that it has not been consulted. The report to the AFA committee says: “The FBU has raised opposition to the introduction of emergency medical response, in a letter to the chair of the fire authority and the chief fire officer.”
