UK Fire Officer Meets With Bermuda Fire Service
On Wednesday, May 20, while in Bermuda here on vacation, Assistant Chief Fire Officer [AFCO] Ryan of the Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service paid a courtesy call to the Bermuda Fire and Rescue Service Senior Management Team. Several areas of mutual interest were discussed, and ACFO Ryan was able to provide the Senior Management team with “current and innovative trends within the United Kingdom Fire Service [UKFS].”
Bermuda Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson, Sergeant Jamal Albuoy said, “The UKFS primarily responds to fires and Road Traffic Collisions [RTCs]. However, there is intense interest within the UK to give study to provision of Emergency Medical Service [EMS] and incorporate EMS as part of their remit.
Acting Divisional Officer Aaron Denkins [Fire Prevention Division], Acting Division Officer Troy Furbert [Training Division], Divisional Officer Morris White [Fire Prevention Division/Special Projects], Chief Fire Officer Reginald L. Burchall, Assistant Chief Fire Officer Simon Ryan [Head of Strategic Support of Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service], Acting Deputy Chief Fire Officer Dana Lovell, and Senior Airport Officer Gary Renaud:
“The Fire Service Act was amended in 1996 to include EMS as part of the services it provides to the community. In 1998, BFRS began providing EMS care to its residents on a full time basis.
“This significantly improved medical care response times in the Western and Eastern ends of the island, by having Emergency Medical Technicians [EMTs] at a patient’s doorstep within a matter of minutes.”
“This significantly reduced response time, which averaged 30 minutes before seeing medical care.
“Therefore, ACFO Ryan was seeking advice from our department how BFRS strategically implemented this initiative.”
“In addition, ACFO Ryan was granted permission from our Chief Fire Officer [CFO] Lloyd Burchall to ride-along with our personnel for the remainder of the day to observe our EMTs/Firefighters in handling patient care, equipment usage, etc.
“ACFO Ryan indeed was delighted for the opportunity to “pick the brains” of our Senior Managers and experience firsthand our system of work. According to ACFO Ryan, “BFRS has it right.”
“The meeting was very productive for both sides. ACFO Ryan acquired helpful insight to our EMS operations and how it can be initiated in his department.
“Additionally, BFRS formed another professional relationship with an International Fire Brigade that can benefit both parties going forward.”
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Category: Accidents and fires, All, News
