FIREFIGHTERS had to be called in to help struggling ambulance crews over Christmas as paramedics faced “unprecedented” demand.

Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service yesterday revealed its 24 stations had responded to almost 300 serious medical emergencies after a pilot scheme to help South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) was rolled out in full earlier than expected. It came as SCAS said year-on-year demand had surged by as much as 42 per cent during the festive period.

Oxford Mail:

Chief Fire Officer Dave Etheridge 

In a letter to county councillors this week, chief fire officer Dave Etheridge said at the height of demand, crews responded to a critical call – serious or life-threatening – every 30 minutes.

He wrote: “We were asked by SCAS if we could assist in attending the most serious calls, sending fire appliances with trained trauma technicians. 

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“This by no means replaces the need for the ambulance service to attend the patient, but does allow the firefighters to offer a quick response and effective intervention awaiting the arrival of an ambulance or paramedic.” 

He added the service was recovering all costs from SCAS through a signed agreement. 

The scheme, called First Person on Scene, started in May in Thame but was rolled out across the whole county on December 21 at SCAS’ request. 

Fire service spokesman Marcus Mabberley said 170 firefighters were now trained with emergency trauma skills, including the use of defibrillators and oxygen cylinders. 

Calls they assist with are the most serious and life-threatening, called Red 1 and Red 2. 

These include incidents such as cardiac arrest, choking, major bleeding, strokes and seizures. 

At least 75 per cent must be reached by SCAS or a first responder within eight minutes. 

Fire stations in Oxfordshire are now alerted to a call at the same time as ambulance crews and can be deployed to the scene if they can reach it faster than SCAS. It is set to continue until the end of January. 

But Mr Mabberley said it did not mean firefighters were not available for fire-related calls. 

He said: “Most fire stations in Oxfordshire are operated by on-call firefighters and if they were attending a medical incident and a fire or a rescue call came in, a medically-trained firefighter would remain with the casualty while the remaining crew and fire engine would go to the fire and rescue call.” 

The scheme was originally meant to be put into action across Oxfordshire in phases, but demand in December meant the whole county fire service was mobilised, Oxfordshire operations commander Nigel Wilson said. 

He said: “As demand increased on SCAS they asked if we could step up the scheme so that all stations were assisting by December 21.” 

Bicester Fire Station crew manager Pete Mackay, 37, said: “It is often local people in our own towns and communities we are helping, so we do really feel like we are making a difference. 

“It is all about getting that first response right and we work very well with SCAS.” 

The joint scheme has come after several months of warnings from SCAS that rising annual demand is placing “significant pressure” on its resources. 

It is also facing a recruitment crisis in the county and has resorted in some areas – such as West Oxfordshire – to contracting work to St John Ambulance Service. 

Oxford East MP Andrew Smith welcomed the joint scheme but said it needed careful consideration and was not “a sustainable answer”. He added: “It makes good sense for our emergency services to help each other but we have to watch out that the exception does not become the rule. 

“Counting on the fire service or the police to do some of the work is not a sustainable answer.” 

Banbury MP Sir Tony Baldry said: “It seems to me to be entirely sensible.” 

The new scheme could help with the future challenges of the ageing population and rising demand, he added. 

Oxfordshire joint health overview and scrutiny committee chairwoman Susanna Pressel said: “I’m all in favour of the emergency services working together. 

“Mr Etheridge’s OBE [given in the 2015 New Year’s Honours] is very well deserved.” 

Last night, SCAS spokeswoman Michelle Archer said: “It was and remains an exceptionally busy time for the ambulance service and our staff have been working extremely hard to respond to the very high levels of demand.” 

Discussions were ongoing about whether to continue or expand the scheme beyond January, Ms Archer added.


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