The new equipment includes defibrillators, as well as other new items such as suction devices to maintain open airways, cervical spinal collars and improved wound dressings.
The introduction of the improved first aid capability and training – known as Immediate Emergency Care (IEC) – will mean that as part of their normal firefighting duties, firefighters attending incidents will be even better prepared to treat casualties who need immediate medical care until paramedics can take over.
The plans are supported by the London Ambulance Service (LAS) and the Brigade has worked in partnership with LAS paramedic trainers to develop the training package for its firefighters. IEC will therefore enable fire crews to provide emergency treatment to casualties to the exacting standards prescribed by the London Ambulance Service.
Chair of the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority, which runs the London Fire Brigade, Valerie Shawcross said: “The introduction of the new Immediate Emergency Care is great news for Lambeth. Firefighters across the borough now have the most up to date trauma care available in any UK Fire and Rescue Service. It will help us to provide the very best first aid care for both the public and our own firefighters at incidents and ultimately help us to save more lives. This is a really important service improvement which demonstrates how we are working with our emergency service partners in the borough to make London a safer city.”
Lambeth Borough Commander Martin Blount said: “Lambeth firefighters welcome the introduction of this vital life saving equipment. At incidents where circumstances prevent early access for paramedics, such as blocked access or unsafe structures, and where we are the first emergency service on the scene, our IEC equipment will significantly increase the chances of survival for casualties”.
Note to editors:
• The Immediate Emergency Care capability will be introduced to around one quarter of the Brigade’s vehicles each year, with the full roll out of equipment and staff training being completed within the next four years.
• Once 50 per cent of all watches on a fire station are trained they will be issued with a fully stocked IEC backpack with the aim that 100 per cent of every watch receives IEC training within four years.
• The increased capabilities that the London Fire Brigade now has, such as water rescue, line rescue and urban search and rescue, reflect the changing demands and role of the fire service and the need to continually improve the systems that ensure the safety of firefighters undertaking these roles. It is vital they are able to look after one another at incidents and the new IEC equipment will also enable the Brigade to provide the very best first aid care it can for its own staff.
Members of the media can obtain further information from the press office on:
telephone number: 020 8536 5922
email: press@london-fire.gov.uk
