Firefighters across Hampshire and Isle of Wight have been given the keys to their new and upgraded co-responder vehicles.
The co-responding partnership with South Central Ambulance Service sees Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service firefighters respond to life-threatening medical emergencies, providing patient care prior to an ambulance resource attending the incident.
The on-call firefighters based in rural locations are able to utilise the HIWFRS Immediate Emergency Care (IEC) capability and equipment, making a difference in their local communities.
Three of the modern vehicles were rolled out on the Isle of Wight last year, with a further six now attending incidents and saving lives on the mainland.
The vehicles are based at on-call stations including Botley, Hamble, Hythe, Portchester and Wickham.
With co-responder schemes in place at 17 stations across Hampshire and Isle of Wight, firefighters were called to more than 360 incidents in their co-responding role, in November alone.
Station Manager of Medical Response, Alex Rhodes said:
“Our firefighter co-responders give up their spare time to help people in their communities; stabilising seriously ill or injured people until the ambulance service arrive.
“Our co-responders have saved many lives in conjunction with SCAS over the years the scheme has been in place, and these new vehicles allow us to continue making life safer across Hampshire and Isle of Wight.
“It is important that we continue to support our ambulance colleagues as we have been doing throughout the Covid-19 pandemic and before.”