Fire and ambulance services' joint working shortlisted for award

Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service (BFRS) and Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service (NFRS) have been shortlisted for 'Project of the Year' at the Global Search and Rescue Excellence Awards 2025, for their work with the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST) which sees trained firefighters respond to the most serious medical emergencies in their area.

There are 3 fire stations in Bedfordshire and 10 stations in Norfolk where firefighters have been trained by EEAST paramedics to co-respond to Category 1 and Category 2 calls in the area, such as cardiac arrests. The aim of the partnership is to get help to patients as quickly as possible, in situations where every second counts.

Over the last 12 months, firefighters in Bedfordshire and Norfolk have co-responded to 388 medical emergencies, arriving first on scene in 71% of the calls they attended. The fire teams have been trained to deliver basic life support, and can be dispatched by ambulance control if they are not undertaking their normal duties.

Tom Barker, Head of Collaborative Response at EEAST, said: "I'm thrilled to see our joint working with Bedfordshire and Norfolk fire and rescue services recognised through the Global Search and Rescue Excellence Awards. We are very proud of our blue-light collaborative working with the fire service, which is all about getting help to patients who need it as quickly as possible.

"To be shortlisted for the Project of the Year award is testament to the hard work that our fire colleagues put into helping their communities. It's an incredible achievement, and to win the award would be amazing. I wish the teams at BFRS and NFRS the best of luck!"

The Global Search and Rescue Excellence Awards 2025 take place on 16 May in central London. More details about the awards can be found here.

Photo caption: EEAST leadership development manager Vikki Darby (centre) with firefighters at Cromer fire station in Norfolk.