FOI Request 1956

Subject:  Fire Service Callouts and Procedures

Status:  Complete

Date Received:  January 2024

Question Asked:

1.  How many callouts has the service attended for a plus size patient either in an evacuation process or to assist them with movement in their home or hospital between 1st January to 31st December in 2022 and January 1st to 31st December 2023?

2.  For callouts involving plus-size patients, how many vehicles attend the scene?

3.  In instances of callouts to plus-size patients, how many staff members are typically present on a vehicle?

4.  If a callout to a plus-size patient occurs, who covers the watch during that time?

5.  In the period of Jan to Dec 2022 and Jan to Dec 2023, did any members of staff go off from work injured due to moving a plus-size patient, if so, how many?

6.  If a callout to assist in moving a plus-size patient happens, who is responsible for covering the associated service costs?

7.  Does your service have equipment to facilitate and support moving a plus-size patient?

8.  Has your service seen an increase in activity for supporting Plus-size patients?

9.  Does your service believe there is a growing need for a service to facilitate moving plus-size patients?

Our Response:

1.  How many callouts has the service attended for a plus size patient either in an evacuation process or to assist them with movement in their home or hospital between 1st January to 31st December in 2022 and January 1st to 31st December 2023?

2.  For callouts involving plus-size patients, how many vehicles attend the scene?

Please see Question 3

3.  In instances of callouts to plus-size patients, how many staff members are typically present on a vehicle?

The answer for both queries 2 and 3 is dependent on the type of incident. Cheshire FRS classify incidents concerning plus-size patient into two specific categories: emergency and non-emergency.

Emergency - 1 pump tender fire appliance normally with four firefighters is mobilised, 1 Rope Rescue Unit with an additional pump tender fire appliance as support.

Non-Emergency – One pump tender fire appliance, normally with four firefighters is mobilised. This attendance can be supported by a flexi-duty officer who may attend or listen to the radio messages and advise accordingly.

4.  If a callout to a plus-size patient occurs, who covers the watch during that time?

The initial response is again dependent on the incident type as described in Answer 3. As with all incident types CFRS have a robust coverage model to identify and backfill key locations when required.

5.  In the period of Jan to Dec 2022 and Jan to Dec 2023, did any members of staff go off from work injured due to moving a plus-size patient, if so, how many?

No staff lost time from work relating to any injury at plus-size patient incidents. In both 2022 and 2023 one member of staff was involved in near miss reported incident. However, no absence from work was required.

6.  If a callout to assist in moving a plus-size patient happens, who is responsible for covering the associated service costs?

Cheshire Fire & Rescue Service have a statutory duty under the Civil Contingency Act 2004 as a category one responder to support partner agencies.

7.  Does your service have equipment to facilitate and support moving a plus-size patient?

Cheshire Fire & Rescue Services Rope Rescue Team carry a Promove Sling and a bariatric stretcher.

All pump tender fire appliances carry Ferno casualty handling sling.

8.  Has your service seen an increase in activity for supporting Plus-size patients?

Cheshire FRS has seen an incremental increase in mobilisation to incidents involving plus-size patients. 2019, 32; 2020, 31 and 2021, 42 as opposed to the information provided in query 1.

9.  Does your service believe there is a growing need for a service to facilitate moving plus-size patients?

All future risks are accounted for in Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service Integrated Risk Management Plan. Such risks are determined via CFRS 'Community Risk Management Model’ and all information is available on CFRS website.

Outcome:  Information Provided

FOI Responded to within timescales:  YES

Further action:  NO