A life-saving partnership between Norfolk’s ambulance and fire services, which equips trained firefighters to respond to medical emergencies, has been expanded across more rural areas in the county. The initiative, a collaboration between the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST) and Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service, now includes three additional fire stations, bringing the total to seven.
Firefighters from the Hunstanton, Heacham, and Sandringham stations have joined the co-response partnership, with Aylsham station expected to follow soon. This program allows on-call firefighters in rural areas to provide rapid medical assistance, particularly in life-threatening situations such as cardiac arrests, where every second counts.
Life-Saving Impact
In the past year, Norfolk’s co-responding firefighters have been deployed to 42 Category 1 emergencies—the most serious cases, including cardiac arrests. Impressively, firefighters arrived first in 45% of those incidents, averaging just under 3 minutes ahead of an ambulance. This rapid response can make a critical difference, especially in Norfolk’s rural communities, where ambulance services may take longer to reach.
Tom Barker, Head of Collaborative Response at EEAST, highlighted the benefits of the partnership:
“It is great to see our co-response partnership with Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service expanding, with three additional fire stations coming on board. This brings the total number of co-responder fire stations in Norfolk to seven, with the eighth station in Aylsham expected to go live shortly. Our collaboration with the fire service is all about getting medical help to people who need it as quickly as possible.”
Defibrillators Installed at Fire Stations
In another crucial step, EEAST has donated 10 automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service, which have been installed at rural fire stations. These devices can be accessed by the public in the event of a cardiac arrest and can significantly improve a patient’s chance of survival.
The latest stations to join the initiative—Hunstanton, Heacham, and Sandringham—join others in Sheringham, Cromer, North Walsham, and Dereham, expanding coverage in rural Norfolk. The partnership is designed to bolster emergency response times in remote areas, ensuring that residents receive immediate medical help when they need it most.
This expansion is a key part of Norfolk’s ongoing efforts to enhance public safety and support its rural communities with critical life-saving services.
