How fire crews are helping train-up care home staff to fight coronavirus

Where necessary, this will include showing staff how to use and wear PPE properly, supporting staff on testing and training on infection prevention and control.

Training already offered includes the assembly of single-use face shields for the NHS and care work front line staff, packing food for vulnerable people, transferring patients to and from Nightingale hospitals and taking samples for antigen testing.

Other tuition includes driving non-blue light ambulances, other driving instruction and the moving of deceased people.

Risk assessments will be in place to support those carrying out the work to keep them safe, and social distancing will be in place.

Chief fire officer, Ian Hayton, said: “This initiative means Cleveland Fire Brigade will be working with local partners and care home staff, assisting in the fight against Covid-19. This agreement means we can ensure those who need help, receive it.

“Care homes remain a cause of concern in relation to Covid-19 cases.

“The brigade’s knowledge, skills and capabilities mean we have a lot of expertise to offer and can play a significant role in helping care homes through training staff to increase their confidence and knowledge, while helping keeping residents safe.

“Once again, this shows Cleveland Fire Brigade staff are ready, willing and able to take on additional duties and help wherever support is needed during times of crisis.

“This support and assistance is in the DNA of fire staff and shows their dedication and commitment to helping those who need it.”

Jean Golightly is Tees Valley Clinical Commissioning Group director of nursing and quality.

She said: “When we went to the LRF (Local Resilience Forum) with our offer of an infection, prevention and control ‘Train the Trainer’ programme to support our care homes, Cleveland Fire Brigade was one of the first organisations to step forward with personnel to support.

“This fantastic response is Cleveland Fire Brigade’s typical way of working – Teesside people supporting Teesside people – and helps us all to deliver on challenging tasks.”

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