Previously paramedics have turned to police colleagues to force entry to a locked property so they can provide vital first aid care.
However, a year-long trial across Thames Valley has demonstrated that involving firefighters in the first-call attendance can result in faster response times, less damage to property, and most importantly, improved outcomes for residents requiring emergency medical treatment.
Reduce damage
In a collaboration involving the three fire and rescue services of Thames Valley, alongside South Central Ambulance Service and Thames Valley Police it was identified that fire crews are trained to achieve safe, quick, effective access in situations where buildings are locked tight.
Using equipment carried on their vehicles, they can help reduce the damage that forcing an entry can cause.
Fast response to emergency
Over the twelve months of the trial, fire crews responded to incidents within nine minutes
Over the twelve months of the trial, fire crews responded to 626 Thames Valley incidents where enabling entry was required, with an average response time of nine minutes. As soon as the crews had gained access, unless their assistance was required further at that incident, they were placed on standby ready to respond to the next emergency call.
South Central Ambulance Service crews have seen a reduction in time spent waiting to enter properties and this, alongside quicker intervention, has led to faster re-deployment of their crews during the recent trial.
Saving time and lives
Thames Valley Police has also seen a benefit. It has been estimated that as a result of the fire service involvement, more than 200 hours of police time has been saved. This has not only generated financial savings but importantly allowed for resources to be freed up to prevent, respond to, and investigate crime across the Thames Valley.
Grahame Mitchell, Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Oxfordshire County Council’s Fire and Rescue Service - speaking on behalf of the Thames Valley Partnership said, “By working together, this initiative sees our firefighters helping open the door to specialist treatment and care more efficiently and more effectively than emergency services have been able to before. It is another example of where joint partnership working can save valuable time and could save lives, helping to deliver improved outcomes for the communities we all serve.”
The outcome of faster response
Mark Ainsworth, from South Central Ambulance Service, said, “We welcome the findings of this trial and are keen to move forward in looking at ways to make this a more established way of working.”
“In many cases, the faster the response and initiation of appropriate treatment, the more positive the outcome and the quicker the recovery time for the patient. People often need immediate medical intervention and in extreme cases, a delay can be the difference between life and death.”
Quick and safe access to treatment
The benefits of this new collaborative approach have already improved patient outcomes, freed up police time" “With their access to equipment which enables safe, quick access to a locked building, firefighters are helping our paramedics and emergency first response teams provide ill and injured residents with quick access to the specialist treatment and care they need.”
The benefits of this new collaborative approach have already improved patient outcomes, freed up police time, enabled ambulance personnel to access and treat patients more effectively, and enabled them to be available sooner for other medical emergencies.
MoU
A Memorandum of Understanding, which outlines the next steps of this new partnership arrangement, has been signed by the three chief fire officers across the Thames Valley, along with the Thames Valley Police Chief Constable and Chief Executive of South Central Ambulance Service.