RESIDENTS in the Okehampton area are being assured that the Co-Responder Scheme in which the fire service attends medical emergencies is continuing despite reports that the scheme has been suspended.
Chagford Fire Station commander Ian Rice confirmed this week an industrial dispute called by the Fire Brigade's Union related only to the proposed introduction of a co-responder scheme on the whole-time Plymstock Fire Station in Plymouth.
'The dispute and consequent suspension of the scheme in Plymouth in no way affects the co-responder arrangements in the rural areas,' said Mr Rice.
'So far as local co-responding fire stations — Hatherleigh, Chagford, Holsworthy and Moretonhampstead — are concerned, it is very much a case of 'business as usual.'
The station commander added the majority of retained firefighters in Devon were represented by the 'non-political, non-strike' Retained Firefighters' Union which had always enthusiastically supported the co-responder scheme.
The initiative involves specially trained fire crews working alongside the ambulance crew to provide a swift response to medical emergencies in some parts of Devon. Many communities raised funds to purchase equipment such as defibrillators so local crews could join-up.
'Inhabitants of the countryside around Okehampton may rest assured that should they need urgent medical help the retained fire crews from the district will continue to support and back-up the Okehampton unit of Westcountry Ambulance Service in meeting their needs as speedily as possible,' said Mr Rice.
Co-responder has been suspended in Plymouth for further negotiations with the Fire Brigade's Union which could not support the scheme as it was, said lead officer for the scheme Geoff Strawbridge.
'There is a wider issue about the roles firefighters play at incidents against the roles ambulance personnel play,' he said.
'The project has been put on hold at this end but in the case of retained stations as long as the crews and the communities want it we will support them and long may it live.'