Firefighters could be called to respond to life-threatening medical emergencies from a base at Skelmanthorpe Fire Station.

A pilot scheme is set to be discussed next week.

If approved, the scheme would see a designated retained firefighter respond to 999 patients within minutes as an Emergency First Responder EFR.

The scheme, put forward by Yorkshire Ambulance Service, is designed to improve response times in rural locations.

Skelmanthorpe Fire Station is one of three locations in West Yorkshire which the fire service has selected could adopt a 12 month pilot scheme from April next year.

And it could be expanded to other retained fire stations in West Yorkshire and has already been successfully implemented in East Yorkshire.

Retained firefighters only attend the fire station (except for training) when they receive an emergency callout.

Firefighters are already trained to a higher standard of emergency medical care than that required for Emergency First Responder.

Yorkshire Ambulance Service
Yorkshire Ambulance Service

But Yorkshire Ambulance Service YAS, which proposed the scheme to West Yorkshire Fire Service, said training would be given in YAS procedures and attending emergencies alone.

A report produced ahead of a West Yorkshrie Fire Authority meeting reads: “The EFR role will also reduce operational pressures on YAS in rural areas, enabling them to focus resources on the higher risk, more populated urban areas.

“Increasing our contribution to the health, safety and well-being of the communities across West Yorkshire will equally increase our public value and reputation.

“The scheme may lead to new partnership opportunities enabling the expansion of our prevention role within the health and well-being agenda, an area key to the continued reduction of deaths and injuries from fire.”

Firefighters are already trained to a higher standard of emergency medical care than that required for Emergency First Responder
Firefighters are already trained to a higher standard of emergency medical care than that required for Emergency First ResponderFire Service, Fire engine, stock

Responders will wear a EFR uniform and travel in marked vehicles to respond to deliver life-saving care in the first critical minutes of a medical emergency.

Emergencies include cardiac arrest patients and serious but less time critical conditions such as strokes and seizures.

During the pilot scheme West Yorkshire fire cover will take priority and responders would travel in pairs as opposed to lone working.

A decision on whether to adopt the proposal will be made at West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority meeting on Friday September 11.