NFRS & EMAS Continue Co-Responder Partnership In Nottinghamshire
Posted on 17 August 2026
Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service (NFRS) and East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) have renewed their co-responder partnership, supporting the continued delivery of the scheme from East Leake and Misterton Fire Stations.
The updated agreement sets out how specially trained on-call firefighters can assist with certain Category 1 medical emergencies when operationally available, providing early support until ambulance colleagues arrive.
The scheme forms part of the ongoing collaborative working between the two emergency services, helping to support communities across Nottinghamshire. Firefighters taking part receive specialist training and operate within a jointly agreed clinical governance framework.
Andy Macey, Area Manager of Response at Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: "We are pleased to continue working alongside East Midlands Ambulance Service through the co-responder scheme.
"This long-standing partnership enables specially trained firefighters to provide additional support at certain medical emergencies when available, complementing the vital work of ambulance crews and helping us work together to meet the needs of our communities."
Michael Barnett-Connolly, Head of Community Response at East Midlands Ambulance Service said:
“I am so pleased that EMAS has revisited the NFRS co-responder schemes partnership working initiative. This collaborative working partnership between our emergency service will no doubt improve and save more lives in our communities.
“When a patient is in out of hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA), the first three to five minutes is critical. Getting hands on the chest, performing CPR and using a defibrillator on the patient with a shockable rhythm can significantly increase the chances of survival.
“NFRS can help with these vital first few minutes to help the patient get a Return of Spontaneous Circulation (ROSC), whilst the professional ambulance service is enroute to the incident.
“This renewed agreement came into effect in June 2026 and will continue to support joint working between the two organisations to help make a difference to our patients and the communities we serve.
“I look forward to developing this important initiative in collaboration with NFRS”.