February 15, 2017 3.44 pm This story is over 85 months old

Ambulance and fire crews to share station in Louth

Ambulance and fire crews based in Louth will share a single station from later this week. The fire station on Eastfield Road will be the first in the county to be run this way, with emergency services claiming that the move will save money, as well as allowing them to work closely together. The co-location…

Ambulance and fire crews based in Louth will share a single station from later this week.

The fire station on Eastfield Road will be the first in the county to be run this way, with emergency services claiming that the move will save money, as well as allowing them to work closely together.

The co-location will begin in August 2017.

Nick Borrill, chief fire officer at Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue, said: “At a time when public service budgets remain under pressure, innovative collaborative new ways of working are needed to ensure we maintain excellent emergency service delivery to residents, businesses and visitors in Lincolnshire.

“By sharing our building with our ambulance colleagues, we can not only save money, but also work more closely together, building a better understanding between our services.

“For example, at the station, we have a simulated search and rescue training facility and a practice road traffic collision area – great for firefighters and ambulance crews to train together and try new ways of working.”

Richard Hunter, locality manager for East Midlands Ambulance Service added: “Residents will be aware that our station on Windsor Road is old and as a result is getting very expensive to run and maintain.

“EMAS is a mobile healthcare provider treating patients in their home, at the scene of an incident and en route to hospital if further treatment is required. The majority of our time therefore is spent away from the current ambulance station.

“By teaming up and slightly modifying the station on Eastfield Road, our staff can access and share better facilities, develop closer working relationships with our police and fire service colleagues and therefore better services for local people.”