Desperate hospitals could call in FIREFIGHTERS to drive ambulances with paramedics Australia

Desperate hospitals could look to firefighters to drive ambulances in an effort to maximise the capabilities of frontline staff with coronavirus cases set to skyrocket.

The New South Wales Ambulance Service has contacted the Fire and Rescue NSW to see the availability of staff to drive trucks with paramedics needed to treat people suffering from Covid.

The Daily Telegraph reported the state’s fire service have made as many as 150 firefighters available for the scheme, which has been used throughout London during the pandemic.

Sources in NSW Ambulance Service have told Daily Mail Australia the idea has been in the works for months with the idea being circulated internally with paramedics, many of whom have recently returned from working abroad.  

NSW Ambulance Service has contacted the Fire and Rescue NSW to see the availability of staff to drive trucks with paramedics needed to treat people suffering from Covid

In a letter obtained by the Telegraph, the Fire Brigade Employees Union were contacted by NSW Ambulance to help drive trucks if hospitals are overwhelmed in the coming weeks.

The state is looking to move out of lockdown on October 18 but modelling from the government predicts cases will continue to increase well beyond 1,000 new infections per day. 

‘NSW Ambulance have contacted FRNSW to request assistance with contingency planning to potentially support maintenance of service levels during the Covid-19 pandemic period,’ the letter reads.

‘The availability and deployment of FRNSW staff trained in operational emergency response driving may be able to support and assist NSW Ambulance service delivery, should the Covid-19 Delta wave significantly impact the pandemic workforce.

‘At this stage we would estimate that up to 150 staff may be required to provide coverage for any worst-case scenario.’

‘NSW Ambulance protocols will need to be observed for PPE during term of the shift.’

The firefighters, who will largely be required to drive the ambulances, may need to perform ‘immediately life-threatening situations’ with appropriate training to be provided. 

The scheme is designed to ensure frontline workers are maximised, using firefighters who drive fire trucks to man ambulances so paramedics can focus on patient care.

The move will ‘support timely response to the community, in high demand periods’.

The London Ambulance Service has successfully trialled the system during its respective pandemic, with the unit looking to use the scheme full-time.