States-funded combined fire and ambulance service proposed for Alderney

Credit: ITV Channel TV

A States-funded combined fire and ambulance service could be on the cards for Alderney.

Politicians want the two emergency services to team up - to save tens of thousands of pounds while introducing an 'integrated service'.

Under the proposals, firefighters and volunteer ambulance crews would use an aligned contact centre and share policies and procedures. St John Ambulance, the Island Medical Centre and Mignot Memorial Hospital would provide support.

If adopted, it could mean the end of a subscription for the ambulance service and instead property taxes would be the main funding source. This would mean the service would be all-inclusive to all residents and visitors.

In its proposal, the Policy and Finance Committee lists 'advantages' including:

  • A common emergency services communication system and process that has been in place since the beginning of the year

  • A larger combined crew offering greater flexibility and resilience

  • Joint services management from the same location

  • Combined training initiatives and equipment

  • Lower staffing costs and professional civil service administration

  • Potentially cheaper for residents compared with the subscription model and an opportunity to waive fees for voluntary organisations and events

The estimated annual cost of the combined service is £136,550.

The government currently pays £40,000 for the Ambulance Service and has a Fire Service budget of £62,400.

In addition, £33,830 of the current income is raised from subscriptions.

The Policy and Finance Committee claim the combined option would 'provide annual savings of over £28,000 per year on a comparable basis with the company model and over £3,000 per year when compared to a stand-alone Ambulance service'.

The States has been running the Ambulance Service since taking emergency interim measures in December last year. Credit: ITV Channel TV

The States has been running the Ambulance Service since taking emergency interim measures in December last year. It took over when the Alderney Ambulance Service Ltd closed following an independent review that raised questions about safety standards, and a subsequent industrial dispute.

Two other options considered were to establish a new ambulance company using a similar model to Alderney Ambulance Service Ltd, and a States of Alderney Ambulance Service as is currently being operated with the support of St John Ambulance, the IMC and MMH.

A final decision is expected in June as part of the 2021 Budget.