A firefighters' union says its members have inadequate training to take on medical emergency calls as is proposed under an agreement with St John. The Fire Service and the St John ambulance service are trying to formalise arrangements they already have for firefighters to be deployed to medical calls.
Rural firefighters and some urban ones already attend a variety of 111 medical call-outs. The Professional Firefighters Union fears the policy will be widened to other medical emergencies. They say firefighters will respond to cardiac and respiratory arrests, where a speedy response can save lives. The Fire Service says staff are getting extra training and their equipment is being upgraded.