Plan to phase out co-responder service criticised

A union has warned some rural fire stations are at risk of closure due to a decision to phase out a role which sees firefighters be first responders in some medical emergencies in the south-west of England.

Some firefighters are trained to co-respond to fire and medical calls but the South Western Ambulance Service Trust said this was no longer financially viable.

The trust said it saved about £60 per call by using its voluntary community first responders, who are paid only expenses.

The Fire and Rescue Services Association said the viability of some fire stations depended on the payments received for delivering medical care.

Tristan Ashby, chief executive of the union, said: "Co-responder calls can very much outweigh the number of standard fire calls that a station receives, so in terms of the recruitment and retention for on-call firefighters, it is vitally important that we continue fire co-responders within the South West.

"We were absolutely aghast when we heard... that [the ambulance trust] wanted to make the move from the fire co-responders to volunteers."

The union said it had been told the total annual savings projected by the ambulance trust was about £280,000

It said the sum was "an extremely small amount of money within the grand scheme of fire service budgets".

The trust did not comment on the total projected savings but said financial considerations were just one part of its decision and patients would benefit from a higher level of care from community first responders.

Mr Ashby said the union was calling on fire services or the government to consider paying the trust to keep using fire co-responders.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said it was not aware of a payment to the ambulance trust being part of discussions so far.

It said fire co-responders had "carried out some amazing acts" in the 27 years they had operated in Devon and Somerset.

"We are saddened to see that South Western Ambulance Service will be phasing co-responding out," it said.

Kathryn Billing, Cornwall's chief fire officer, said co-responders had worked with "exceptional dedication" and "saved countless lives".

"I am disappointed by the decision to cease our co-responding agreement," she said.

"Our firefighters have provided a consistent, professional community response for nearly three decades.

"This is an incredibly sad end to a partnership which I know has made a significant difference to so many in our most rurally isolated communities.

"I am incredibly proud of one and all who have been involved with our co-responders partnership over the past 29 years, the passion, pride and professionalism and the lives saved will not be forgotten by us nor the communities they serve."

The South Western Ambulance Service Trust said it continually reviewed its 999 response model to ensure a high level of patient care.

A spokesman said: "In recent years we have been developing and strengthening our Community First Responder (CFR) volunteering model...this development means we will be phasing out the Fire Co-Responder role.

"CFRs receive an enhanced level of clinical training to help them respond to patients. CFRs can, with clinical support from the trust, administer pain relief and discharge patients at scene.

"The cost comparator between a Fire Co-Responder and a SWASFT Community First Responder is significant, so as part of our responsibility to provide the best possible care to patients, while meeting national expectations for efficiency and value for money, we are investing into increasing volunteers across the South West.

"As part of the transition, we have invited Fire Co-Responders to train to become CFRs."

The BBC has asked the government for comment.

Follow BBC Cornwall on X, Facebook and Instagram. Follow BBC Devon on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected].