Cambs fire service support Covid-19 vaccination rollout
Fire service staff are providing logistical support to make sure vaccinations are going ahead smoothly.
Pictured above: Fire service staff at one of the vaccination sites. (Credit: CFRS).
The national effort to vaccinate vulnerable people is being supported by the fire service.
Staff from across the Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service, including emergency call handlers and fire fighters, are giving help at vaccination sites.
Help includes assisting staff at GPs with marshalling in the car parks and directing patients, as well as assisting with the set up of large-scale sites.
Group commander Wayne Swales, the officer coordinating the support project, said: “Staff volunteering so far have found the experience really rewarding. Many of the people coming to be vaccinated have been shielding in their homes for long periods, with a trip to be vaccinated their only reason for stepping outside. Being there for these residents, providing a friendly face and checking their welfare before and after getting their vaccine, really is fulfilling.”
In the last week or so, the service has provided more than 400 hours of help to the vaccination programme across all the sites. This is in addition to ensuring there are enough crewed fire engines around the county.
Mr Swales added: “Clearly we need to balance our core responsibilities as a fire and rescue service and helping with the national vaccination effort. We’ve made sure that we have enough crews available to respond to emergencies while offering our partners this level of support.”
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