West Midlands Ambulance Service’s Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) have been working alongside emergency service colleagues to ensure flooded residents are ‘Safe and Well.’
As part of the multi-service flood response, Paramedics from HART have been travelling by boat and where possible wading out to houses that have limited access due to their homes or neighbourhoods being flooded.
The ‘safe and well’ checks not only ensure the public’s safety and general welfare but it also provides residents the opportunity to raise any health concerns they may have; most of which can then be addressed within their home environment. Residents who take regular medication have also been asked if they have an adequate supply to see them through the flooding period.
The checks have proved to be beneficial and on Friday Paramedics found themselves treating a patient who had been suffering from chest pains.
WMAS Assistant Chief Ambulance Officer, Steve Wheaton, said: “Initiatives such as this not only shows our determination to ensure those affected by flooding are being monitored and communicated with, but also demonstrates the excellent relationship the emergency service partners have with each other working seamlessly in such difficult conditions.
“Although the teams are proactively visiting properties, should anyone require emergency assistance please do not hesitate in contacting the emergency services. Throughout this period of flooding we have been and will continue to respond to you as quickly as we can.”