The county's firefighters may be required to respond to people suffering heart attacks in addition to their traditional duties under a new project by Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service and North West Ambulance Service.

The two public bodies are developing plans which would see the fire service attending cardiac incidents as well as personnel from the ambulance service which could be rolled out next year.

The service’s deputy chief fire officer Mark Cashin explained that the collaboration with the ambulance service, with whom they have a ‘fantastic working relationship’ already, will help save lives.

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service's management plan for 2016/17 is currently out for consultation and also includes a proposal to join up its support functions with Cheshire Constabulary by moving into a shared HQ at the existing Constabulary HQ site in Winsford.

Pilot scheme in four areas

Derek Cartwright, from the North West Ambulance Service, revealed their hope to launch pilot schemes in four unconfirmed areas of Cheshire in 2016.

“The prospect of working even closer with our colleagues at Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service to benefit people suffering cardiac incidents is an exciting one,” he said.

“Both organisations have met with the trade union bodies for what was a really positive meeting where we began to develop detailed plans of how we will progress this project.”

If approved the scheme would see both services being mobilised, whoever reaches the casualty first will start providing treatment and once the patient is stabilised they will be taken to hospital by ambulance.

Safeguards needed

But Dave Williams, Cheshire secretary of the Fire Brigades Union, told the Chronicle that he would want to see safeguards put in place, such as ensuring that responding to such incidents would not compromise the availability of fire appliances to put out fires.

He added: “If it can make a difference then we would want to give our support where we can.

“Technically, it would mean firefighters are extending their role maps, it is above and beyond what their job is.”

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