A CO-RESPONDER partnership between the fire and ambulance service has been given the green light for expansion.

Dorset Fire Authority members unanimously agreed to the expansion of the co-responder partnership between Dorset Fire and Rescue Service and South West Ambulance Trust.

Currently the joint scheme between the emergency services operates out of Lyme Regis and Beaminster fire stations and involves operational firefighters who have received enhanced medical training attending medically life-threatening incidents.

Co-Responders are called upon when it is believed they will arrive before the ambulance service and be able to maintain life before an ambulance crew arrives. The current teams attend around 470 calls a year between them and the scheme will now be expanded. Potential stations include Bere Regis, Wareham, Swanage, Wimborne, Dorchester and Weymouth.

Chief Fire Officer Darran Gunter said he was very pleased the initiative had been given the go-ahead for expansion. He said: “The emphasis here really is on the word Co-Responder. The scheme does not involve firefighters attending incidents on behalf of the ambulance service, but in areas where we can reach a casualty and maintain life until a paramedic arrives. This really is a lifesaving partnership. DFRS staff are provided with extra skills which can be transferred to our own incidents, it also gives potential on-call firefighter recruits another way to serve their local community and make them safe.”