Fire service faces overhaul

Fire crews already have first aid training

A major review of the fire service in Leicestershire could see firefighters providing cover for paramedics.

Firefighters already carry defibrillators and are trained in first-aid.

But the Fire Brigades Union says it is concerned the changes will leave firefighters with too much responsibility.

Other proposals include scaling down their response to fire alarms.

Ian Scarrott, Assistant Chief Fire Officer at Leicestershire Fire and Rescue service, said any changes should not affect emergency health care.

"The government sees collaborative working and co-responding with the ambulance service as a key issue.

"They want firefighters to be able to do that so of course it requires questions at a high level about the relative funding of different departments.

"But the general view is that if firefighters can help, then they will.

"The key message here is that we will be responding as well as the ambulance service and not instead of - and we need to make sure that happens."

Mr Scarrott said scaling down the response to fire alarms could free resources for fire prevention.

He said: "About 28% of our calls are to automatic fire alarms. That's a lot of calls per year and less than 0.1% end up requiring any action.

"What we will be able to do is base our priorities on risk and say whether or not going to send a full attendance.

"If we don't think that is necessary we can send one vehicle to have a look."