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A collaboration between Norfolk’s fire and ambulance services has been shortlisted for an industry award.
Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service (NFRS) has been shortlisted for Project of the Year at the Global Search and Rescue Excellence Awards 2025, for its 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 10 fire stations in Norfolk where firefighters have been trained by EEAST paramedics to co-respond to Category 1 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 Norfolk have responded to 60 Category 1 calls, and arrived first on scene in 40% of those incidents. 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.
EEAST also has a co-response scheme in place with Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, who are jointly shortlisted for the award with NFRS.
“It’s fantastic to see our joint working with Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service 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 NFRS the best of luck!”
Tom Barker, Head of Collaborative Response at EEAST.
NFRS Head of Operations Paul Seaman said: “We are delighted that our lifesaving partnership working with EEAST has been recognised. Our core work is all about saving life. In Norfolk, having our ten crews able to be first on scene in cases of cardiac arrest in rural areas means more lives can be saved. Every second counts and we thank our crews for stepping up to support the co-responding work.”
The Global Search and Rescue Excellence Awards 2025 take place on 16 May in central London.
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