Essex Fire Service collaboration work with Ambulance Service to save lives

Frinton and Dunmow Fire Stations have become new response posts for the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST) as part of an ongoing collaboration project with Essex County Fire and Rescue Service (ECFRS).

The three-year project which has already gone live, will see the Ambulance Service using fire service stations as response posts.

This partnership working will bring resources closer to local communities as well as benefiting the staff of both emergency services.

Deputy Chief Fire Officer Moira Bruin said: “I’d like to give a warm welcome to our Ambulance Service colleagues into Frinton and Dunmow fire stations.

“Working in partnership with the Ambulance Service isn’t a new initiative, crews collaborate daily during incidents. However, this fantastic collaboration opportunity will allow us to work closer and provide an even better service to the communities we serve. We will definitely be looking to expand this project to more fire stations in the future.

“We know that by working together we can make Essex a safer place to live, work and travel.”

Kate Vaughton, EEAST Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Integration, said: “We are delighted to be working closely with Essex Fire and Rescue Service to provide a better service to our patients, by using fire stations as local response posts for ambulances.

“Having these response posts in local communities will enable us to respond faster to medical emergencies, getting help and support to patients who need us. This builds on our joint working with the fire service in Essex, including the Community Wellbeing Officers who can help respond to people who have fallen and don’t require an ambulance response.”

The emergency services teams will share the station including vehicle charging facilities.

Roger Hirst, Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex said: “I welcome this opportunity to further ensure Essex County Fire and Rescue Service works together and collaborates with East of England Ambulance Service to focus on the most vulnerable in our communities, who are often most at risk of crime, health crises, fire, and other hazards, and keep them from harm.”

The project empathises the commitment of both ECFRS and EEAST to prioritise public safety and enhance their service delivery models.

By working together more closely, the two services aim to provide an integrated approach to emergency response, ultimately saving more lives and better serving the people of Essex.