WEST Midlands Fire Service (WMFS) firefighters will now respond to non-emergency calls to falls for the elderly and vulnerable in a new pilot scheme.
The ground-breaking partnership for WMFS has been implemented following discussions with colleagues at Coventry City Council Telecare service.
The scheme will focus on the Coventry area and initially covers a daytime service (07.15 – 21.45 hours) with full 24 hour coverage being provided from October 2015.
Telecare is a community alarm that provides a response service for vulnerable and older members of the community that are prone to falls.
Being a client of Telecare enables the user to raise an alert from a range of sensors and detectors within their home.
Once an alert has been raised with the Telecare call centre they will conduct an assessment to determine the level of response. Phil Loach Chief Fire Officer for the West Midlands Fire Service said: “Being commissioned to provide this type of work provides a fantastic opportunity to help the most vulnerable members of our community.
“We will also reduce risk by providing our comprehensive safe and well visits to people that really need them and help reduce hospital admissions freeing up beds and access to vital services and reducing the overall cost to the public purse.
Coun John Edwards, Chair of the West Midlands Fire and Rescue Authority, said: “It’s crucial that we maintain close working relationships with our partners when delivering prevention and protection work.
“This pilot scheme is an excellent example of public sector organisations, helped by the National Joint Council, coming together to provide better outcomes for the community.”
