Firefighters join the vaccine effort

Ten firefighters are among those who are working together to administer the astonishing rate of vaccines we are witnessing in Montgomeryshire. 

As the rapid campaign moves towards the 18-29 age group, Powys Teaching Health Board has teamed up with Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue to help with the process at the Newtown Vaccination Centre.

Initially seconded for three months, these fire fighters are helping with the efforts to vaccinate as many people as possible, as quickly as possible.

Ffion Evans (pictured) is an on-call fire fighter in Welshpool as well as being a personal trainer.

She said: “I’m loving working alongside the health board staff. It’s nice to be doing something different and to be able to help. Sometimes people are a little surprised to see us here, but with the military being involved as well people are appreciative of how so many different groups are working together to deliver the vaccine.”

Tim Nettleton is another on-call fire fighter from Llanfair Caereinion and also an Arborist. Tim also used to be in the RAF.

“Being a vaccinator has been a great opportunity to help and also to meet people,” he said: “Having a shared background with colleagues from the RAF who are also working here has helped to bring the different teams together. It’s a really great team and everyone works well as a unit.”

Chris Davies, Chief Fire Officer for Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, said: “We collaborate with our multi-agency partners, across a wide range of activities, in order to serve our communities in the most effective manner.

“The response of our colleagues in the National Health Service has been exceptional during this global pandemic and I am pleased that Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service can assist Powys Teaching Health Board to distribute vaccines at its mass vaccination sites in Newtown and Builth Wells.

“Whilst we already collaborate with the Welsh Ambulance Service Trust and Hywel Dda University Health Board, this opportunity allows us to expand our assistance further within the health arena. Now we have a model in place, we are in a position to provide support to other partners within mid and west Wales as required.”