Fire service Big rise in number of rescues of obese patients

RESCUES of obese people by Avon firefighters have soared by 50 per cent in the past three years.

- Adam POSTANS Local Democracy Reporter

Crews using specialist equipment are increasingly being called on by the ambulance service to move heavy patients safely.

Fire chiefs and councillors are becoming concerned because the incidents are often long, costly and labour-intensive.

Officially classed as "bariatric rescues", the rise from an average of six a month in August 2022 to nine now was partly responsible for the broader category of "special service calls" (SSCs) exceeding other call types - fires and alarms - for the first time ever in 2024/25.

Overall there were 12,384 incidents during the year, a 10 per cent rise on the previous 12 months, with fires accounting for 23 per cent two per cent down - alarms 38 per cent, and SSCs 39 per cent - a 19 per cent rise, Avon Fire Authority policy and resources committee was told.