Page 9 - July 2020

THE COVID-19 STORY
with at the time. If my condition deteriorated any further , i.e. pains in my left arm, jaw, chest etc., then it was to be a call to 999 and inform them I had C19 symptoms. The last information was so that the paramedics could suitably attire themselves before attending.
Because of my lack of appetite during these few short weeks my weight dropped 6.4kg. Around day eighteen I began to feel more human and by day twenty I was probably at what was the end of the infection. NHS England figures suggest that I was in the age category of 39.6% of deaths by age.
I am no way suggesting that my condition was anywhere as bad as the figures state but it is the not knowing what that final tipping point could have been. I feel extremely fortunate that I now have the energy and wherewithal to sit and write this down.
To all my peers and colleagues out there, please take care. Follow the government mantra on saving lives. It may not be you but it could be someone very dear to you that succumbs to Covid19.
Stay safe. Bob Bryant
Figures and stats NHS England
NFCC ARE ‘PLEASED’ AGREEMENT TO EXTEND COVID-19 ACTIVITIES REACHED Thousands of staff from UK Fire and Rescue Services will continue to support the NHS, ambulance services, local authorities and other vital organisations in the fight against COVID-19.
Robert Bryant
PRM Committee Member
Thousands of staff from UK Fire and Rescue Services will continue to support the NHS, ambulance services, local authorities and othervitalorganisationsinthefight against COVID-19. The agreement was reached between the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC), the National Employer and the Fire Brigades Union (FBU).
This means COVID-related activities such as assisting in care homes, helping with testing, driving ambulances, face fitting masks for the NHS/clinical staff and supporting the most vulnerable through deliveries will continue to take place until at least July 26th. This could extend further to August 26th if joint work on reviewing assessments is agreed and concluded.
NFCC Chair Roy Wilsher, commented: “This agreement is testament to fire service staff being ready, willing and able to play their part in the response to COVID-19, using their wide range of skills and expertise to help those who need it most. I knew FRSs would want to continue being at the heart of the response, doing what they do best; supporting those who need help and assistance.”
The discussions included reviewing learning and experiences from the last two months. It was also agreed that joint work on reviewing risk assessments would also be carried out.
Important additions included delivery of pre-designed training packages on Infection Prevention and Control, including hand, hygiene,PPE’donning’&‘doffing’ guidance and procedures; and supporting with care home staff testing. The additional activities are in addition to fire and rescue services maintaining the response to emergency incidents and carrying out core duties such as prevention and building safety based on risk.
The additional areas of work also include assembly of single use face shields; packing and repacking food supplies for vulnerable people, transfer of patients to and from hospitals, taking samples for COVID-19 antigen testing; driving non-blue light ambulance transport, delivery of PPE and other medical supplies and assisting the ambulance service with driving and patient/ambulance support and moving deceased people.
Roy Wilsher NFCC Chair
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