NFRS 2023 104 - Bariatric rescues

You asked for

I would like to request information on the following matters related to the activities and procedures of the fire service.

1. How many callouts has the service attended for a plus size patient either in anevacuation process or to assist them with movement in their home or hospital between 1st January to 31st December in 2022 and January 1st to 31st December 2023?
2. For callouts involving plus-size patients, how many vehicles attend the scene?
3. In instances of callouts to plus-size patients, how many staff members are typically present on a vehicle?
4. If a callout to a plus-size patient occurs, who covers the watch during that time?
5. In the period of Jan to Dec 2022 and Jan to Dec 2023, did any members of staff go off from work injured due to moving a plus-size patient, if so, how many?
6. If a callout to assist in moving a plus-size patient happens, who is responsible for covering the associated service costs?
7. Does your service have equipment to facilitate and support moving a plus-size patient?
8. Has your service seen an increase in activity for supporting Plus-size patients?
9. Does your service believe there is a growing need for a service to facilitate moving plus-size patients

I understand that the information I am requesting may be extensive, and I appreciate your time and effort in providing these details. Please provide the information in an electronic format, if possible, and within the statutory 20 working days.

Our Response

1. How many callouts has the service attended for a plus size patient either in an evacuation process or to assist them with movement in their home or hospital between 1st January to 31st December in 2022 and January 1st to 31st December 2023?
   Answer: -
   • 2022: 46
   • 2023: 77
2. For callouts involving plus-size patients, how many vehicles attend the scene?
   Answer: -
   • 2022: 76
   • 2023: 117
3. In instances of callouts to plus-size patients, how many staff members are typically present on a vehicle?
   Answer: - The Standard PDA for assisting EMAS with a bariatric person is 1x appliance, 1 SRU and support appliance, 1x Flexi duty officer.
4. If a callout to a plus-size patient occurs, who covers the watch during that time?
   Answer: - If the crew were detained at an incident control have the option to send another crew to cover that area, for example one of the appliances from a 2-pump station.
5. In the period of Jan to Dec 2022 and Jan to Dec 2023, did any members of staff go off from work injured due to moving a plus-size patient, if so, how many?
   Answer: -
   • 2022: 1
   • 2023: No Information Held, no injuries reported whereby time off was required.
6. If a callout to assist in moving a plus-size patient happens, who is responsible for covering the associated service costs?
   Answer: - We only go to life threatening (P1) bariatric incidents, we don’t charge for emergency attendances.
7. Does your service have equipment to facilitate and support moving a plus-size patient?
   Answer: - SRU’s carry casualty handling sheets and chrysalis stretchers as well as friction reducing sheets for sliding stretchers and people on, Rope rescue and Areial appliances are also used.
8. Has your service seen an increase in activity for supporting Plus-size patients?
   Answer: - Yes.
9. Does your service believe there is a growing need for a service to facilitate moving plus-size patients.
   Answer: - No Information Held, no records could be located outlining a position on the above question.