LOCAL figures from across Devon have aired concerns over the planned withdrawal of the fire co-responder service by South Western Ambulance Service Trust (SWAST).

Representations were made to Devon County Council’s Health and Adult Care Scrutiny Committee, which was scrutinising a report from SWAST detailing their reasons for phasing out the three-decade long partnership between the fire service and ambulance crews.

The fire co-responder service sees train fire fighters from across SWAST’s service area be the first responder at some category one emergencies, often being the first to attend scenes they are summoned to.

SWAST has announced that it plans to phase out its funding of the fire co-responder service, which sees the fire service paid £80 for each call out in favour of using its volunteer responders.

In the meeting, committee members heard concerns from a range of members of the public over the plans, as well as hearing from SWAST over their reasons for making the changes.

Cllr Jon Hutchings, the mayor of Holsworthy travelled to Devon County Council’s Exeter headquarters to air his concerns on behalf of the town. He said: “The plans cannot be justified. The scheme’s implementation in Holsworthy was borne out of tragic deaths and there are times where you have to wait an hour for an ambulance. Over the years it has matured into an essential part of the community and the surrounding areas.”

The mayor said that there were multiple differences between the responses offered by the co-responder service provided by the fire service and volunteer co-responders. He mentioned how volunteer responders were limited to their own cars and speed limits whereas the fire co-responders can use blue lights to attend faster.

Attacking the plans, he added: “Are we willing to say to people that we’re sorry we didn’t save your relatives but we saved £80?”