Fire chiefs draw up plans to keep crews clear of swine flu

Published on Wednesday 10 June 2009 10:08

FIRE chiefs in the Lothians have drawn up plans to ensure their crews are not struck down during a swine flu pandemic.

Stricter cleaning methods for breathing masks and other equipment are among the measures which are set to be rolled out.

And special disinfectant cleaning products have already been sent out to stations ready for use.

The aim of the measures is to try and limit the spread of the disease among firefighters, and also to stop them passing on the virus to the public.

The spread of the influenza A H1N1 virus has led the World Health Organisation to raise its pandemic alert level to five, one step away from the declaration of a pandemic flu outbreak.

There are currently five confirmed cases in the Lothians, while across Scotland there are now 264 confirmed cases and 380 possible cases.

The speed and efficiency with which the virus is moving from human to human has increased fears of a global outbreak, and the Scottish Government has now instructed emergency services and public service organisations to begin implementing contingency plans.

Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service (LBFRS) has now set up a working group to co-ordinate their preparations.

Plans detailing stricter standards of cleaning for breathing apparatus and resuscitation have already been sent out to stations across the Lothians, and will be used if a pandemic is declared.

A fire service spokeswoman said: "We have a structured and rehearsed a pandemic flu contingency plan which has been in place for several years, and which is being implemented at its lower levels currently.

"It has elements which will be brought into force if the threat, as identified by the World Health Organisation, were to rise.

"We are confident in this plan, and although we realise that like our partner agencies we are dealing with the unknown at this stage, we feel that we will be able to keep our key services available in the event of a pandemic."

The police are also carrying out continuity planning. A spokeswoman said: "Lothian and Borders Police are working closely with partners to ensure a co-ordinated inter-agency response to tackle the consequences of swine flu.

"We are working with other key agencies as part of the Lothian and Borders Strategic Coordinating Group to maintain normal life.

"This collective response will ensure that we meet the needs of the public, and support the government strategy."