Firefighters to deliver food and drive ambulances during coronavirus crisis

Firefighters in West Yorkshire are to help 'in any way they can' to keep the public safe during the coronavirus pandemic.
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This will include delivering food and medicine to those who cannot leave the house and driving ambulances to transport patients.

Chief Fire Officer John Roberts for West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “It’s part of a firefighters DNA to provide help during difficult times so we are pleased to support this way of working together with our fellow emergency services.

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“We are already working at the heart of our local communities, and trained in things like driving emergency vehicles and responding to critical situations so we are well placed to deliver these additional tasks to help protect the most vulnerable.

Fire crews are to help the ambulance service to ease the pressure on them during the coronavirus crisis. Credit: ShutterstockFire crews are to help the ambulance service to ease the pressure on them during the coronavirus crisis. Credit: Shutterstock
Fire crews are to help the ambulance service to ease the pressure on them during the coronavirus crisis. Credit: Shutterstock

“I’d like to assure the public that fire cover remains a priority for us as a service and we will continue responding to all core emergencies, such as fires and road traffic collisions. The additional services we undertake will be on top of our usual role keeping West Yorkshire safe.

Join our new coronavirus Facebook group for the latest confirmed news and advice as soon as we get it www.facebook.com/groups/yorkshirecoronavirus“We will also continue to implement extra measures in place internally to protect the welfare of our staff as they respond to the new tasks and challenges at hand.

“Teamwork at a difficult time like this is essential, so we will work hard to support our partner agencies and fantastic communities through this pandemic.”

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Darren O’Donovan, Chair of West Yorkshire Fire Authority, added: “I am extremely proud of our staff for agreeing to step into these new roles assisting the ambulance service.

“These are unprecedented times so I am enormously pleased that we can contribute in this way. We have highly dedicated and skilled staff that I know instil a sense of calm in communities with our presence.

“I’d like to go on record thanking all our teams for their continuing efforts, and to reassure the public we will continue working throughout the pandemic to keep West Yorkshire safe in any way we can.”

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