Page 7 - MSBs rapport
P. 7
FiP – Ett kostnadseffektivt hjälpmedel för ett likvärdigt skydd mot olyckor? Lantz
Summary
Enhancing the efficiency of emergency services is an aim that always should be sought to
offer local residents an adequate and equivalent protection against accidents. On the contrary,
existing resources are often limited for the part time forces. It is therefore significant to use
available resources in the most effective way to achieve the intentions of fewer injuries and
fatalities regarding to the Law on the Prevention of Accidents. Like many other fire
departments in Sweden, Gästrike Fire Department has for two years implemented the project
First Responder to offer the local residents faster assistance and a better protection against
accidents. A First Responder is a part time fire fighter whom is responding in a smaller
emergency vehicle directly to the scene without the detour to the fire station. The intention is
that this person in an earlier stage will begin lifesaving and damage reduction actions in order
to make the rescue operation more effective and to reduce injuries and damage.
The intention of this report was to evaluate the First Responder project. The goal was to create
a comprehensive basis for further discussion regarding a development for a more efficient
activity, from the residents’ perspective. Furthermore, the report can also serve as a basis for
decision making to other fire departments which are considering introducing the concept.
The basis of the report was these three issues:
How much time is earned with FiP?
At which type of rescue category generates FiP the greatest socio-economic benefits?
What is the employee’s opinion about FiP?
Time data from SOS Alarm [emergency response services] were used to calculate the average
time differences between FiP and the next unit on the scene. Part of the evaluation was also
based on an interview study conducted with the employees who perform as FiP.
The cost-benefit analysis and the results of the interview study show a large profitability for
the community. The employees do however express some problems, mainly with the current
vehicles. However, 95% of them still feel that the First Responder is suitable for their station.
The conclusion is that the project is considered to be satisfactory for the community but there
is a need for some improvements to make the project even more effective.
VII
Summary
Enhancing the efficiency of emergency services is an aim that always should be sought to
offer local residents an adequate and equivalent protection against accidents. On the contrary,
existing resources are often limited for the part time forces. It is therefore significant to use
available resources in the most effective way to achieve the intentions of fewer injuries and
fatalities regarding to the Law on the Prevention of Accidents. Like many other fire
departments in Sweden, Gästrike Fire Department has for two years implemented the project
First Responder to offer the local residents faster assistance and a better protection against
accidents. A First Responder is a part time fire fighter whom is responding in a smaller
emergency vehicle directly to the scene without the detour to the fire station. The intention is
that this person in an earlier stage will begin lifesaving and damage reduction actions in order
to make the rescue operation more effective and to reduce injuries and damage.
The intention of this report was to evaluate the First Responder project. The goal was to create
a comprehensive basis for further discussion regarding a development for a more efficient
activity, from the residents’ perspective. Furthermore, the report can also serve as a basis for
decision making to other fire departments which are considering introducing the concept.
The basis of the report was these three issues:
How much time is earned with FiP?
At which type of rescue category generates FiP the greatest socio-economic benefits?
What is the employee’s opinion about FiP?
Time data from SOS Alarm [emergency response services] were used to calculate the average
time differences between FiP and the next unit on the scene. Part of the evaluation was also
based on an interview study conducted with the employees who perform as FiP.
The cost-benefit analysis and the results of the interview study show a large profitability for
the community. The employees do however express some problems, mainly with the current
vehicles. However, 95% of them still feel that the First Responder is suitable for their station.
The conclusion is that the project is considered to be satisfactory for the community but there
is a need for some improvements to make the project even more effective.
VII
