FBU RESPONSE TO EMR
A recent HM Fire Service Inspectorate report considered the existing and limited legacy arrangements the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service have inherited that supports the Scottish Ambulance Service response to medical emergencies. The Scottish Government have also requested the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service consider how they may be able to support their plannedstrategy on out of hospital cardiac arrests.
As a result an initial presentation over the research and intended benefits of the Scottish Government strategy on out of hospital cardiac arrests is due to be provided to the SFRS, the SAS, Scottish Government, Unite and the Fire Brigades Union. Thereafter the Scottish Government wish all parties to consider if there is any potential to develop joint working to support their strategy on out of hospital cardiac arrests. This would also clearly have to consider the resources and training that may be required to assist this process, if deemed feasible and also the wider implications for rolemaps and core statutory duties.
The SFRS are also represented on the National Joint Council and as such are actively participating in the NJC working group looking at Emergency Medical Response, as are the FBU, any departure from current practices will need to be considered by this group in the first instance.
Until all of this has been fully considered and any required negotiation process with the FBU has concluded the SFRS will not be responding to medical emergencies. Legacy policies that may be in place where the SFRS provide support to other services including in a very limited form to the the SAS would continue to be observed in the interim. Therefore, any attendances will be as per legacy policy and procedures and any proposals to support the Scottish Government strategy on out of hospital cardiac arrests will be subject to further National negotiation and then local consultation over how this may be implemented.
