The official launch of the Wokingham Fire Station co-responding pilot scheme took place on 18th January.
The scheme involves crews from Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS) working alongside South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SCAS) to provide a ‘first response’ to specific medical emergencies such as cardiac arrests, heart attacks and strokes, in advance of an ambulance arriving on scene. The crews at Wokingham have received life support training from SCAS instructors and the necessary medical equipment has been stowed on the appliance.
The trial has proved very successful, with crews averaging around three co-responding calls per day. Our crews will remain primarily available to respond to fire and rescue emergencies but, at the same time, SCAS will be able to mobilise them to medical emergencies when needed.
The pilot scheme at Wokingham will run until the end of June 2016 as part of a programme of national trials, which are intended to test the extent to which services to the public can be improved by emergency responders in the fire and rescue service supporting our colleagues in the ambulance service.
For more information, go to www.rbfrs.co.uk
