South Wales Fire Authority has endorsed the findings of a review group set up to consider a proposal by the Welsh Government to expand the role of firefighters to support the NHS (pdf – p117).
The proposal – first mooted in 2020 – could eventually see firefighters respond to out-of-hospital cardiac arrests and falls where the patient isn’t seriously injured. It would also see them undertake work to help prevent falls at home.
Several detailed reviews have concluded the plan is workable, though this is subject to further negotiation with the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) through collective bargaining – with suggestions pay would need to increase for employees to accept the change to their role.
