Jersey’s Ambulance Service have implemented their business continuity measures and are working with suitably trained members of the community and other emergency services, to maintain high-quality services during the coronavirus pandemic.
The measures, which include providing ambulance driving training to other emergency services workers and the opening a second ambulance station, form part of the Government’s management of the spread of Covid-19.
The Chief Ambulance Officer Peter Gavey said: “We are enacting our business continuity plans to ensure that we can maintain a level of service that fulfils our critical functions.
“The Ambulance Service is working with a wide range of suitably trained people and volunteers. We have former staff, student paramedics, staff from across Government, Liberty Bus drivers and members of the JLA Lifeboat who have offered support.”
“It is vital that we are prepared, and we are lucky to be able to call on so many Islanders from various strands of our community.
As part of the plans, the Ambulance Service has taken command and control of St John Ambulance and Normandy Rescue so that their resources, assets and volunteers are under the same command structure. As a result, a second ambulance station location has been established at St John Ambulance headquarters in Midvale Road.
Additionally, nominated drivers from the States of Jersey Police and Jersey Fire and Rescue Service are being trained in ambulance driving to provide further support, and staff from across Government are to be rapid trained as combined control call handlers.
David Le Quesne, chairman of St John Ambulance Jersey, said: “St John Ambulance Jersey is very pleased to help in the crisis by making its headquarters, its four ambulances and other equipment and facilities available to the States of Jersey Ambulance Service. Our trained volunteers and members have offered their services, and we are very proud of them. In difficult times we are proud to continue to serve our Island.”
Andrew Scott-Miller, of Normandy Rescue, added: “Normandy Rescue are pleased to be able to offer our equipment and two of our vehicles to assist the Island’s health service. Our volunteer medics are looking forward to working alongside our full-time colleagues at the Ambulance Service as well as the many other voluntary agencies such as St John, ASU (Ambulance Support Unit) and the Jersey Lifeboat Association who are also mobilising to assist. It’s times like these that the true community spirit of this Island comes to the forefront and we are very proud to be playing our part.”
Government of Jersey News Release.