Firefighters and staff from County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service have surpassed the milestone of delivering 50,000 Covid vaccinations, following a drive to assist with the national vaccination programme.
Twenty-five staff are now trained to administer the vaccinations, twenty-four firefighters and a corporate staff member have been working tirelessly alongside colleagues in the NHS to reach as many people as possible in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.
Durham Green Watch Firefighter Stephen Hall, who has trained to be a vaccinator, commented: “The best part of my role as a firefighter is being able to help people in their moment of need, so vaccinating the public in the battle against Covid seemed like the right thing to do.
“I have met some wonderful people along the way. I’ve worked with nurses, doctors, dentists, Army soldiers, Royal Marines, the RAF and paramedics. Not to mention all the support staff who have worked alongside us, one big team working together to achieve our aim of vaccinating as many people as we could.
“I’ll miss vaccinating when it comes to an end but hopefully it will mean we have achieved our aim of protecting the public. When I’m an old man and any future grandkids ask me what I did during the pandemic, I’ll proudly say that I was a Covid vaccinator.”
In total the Service has dedicated 12,000 hours to the vaccination drive, which includes vaccinations, logistical and administration support where needed.
Chief Fire Officer, Stuart Errington, commented: “The dedication shown by the Service vaccinators is inspiring. Through their hard work, we are now closer to delivering nearly 55,000 vaccinations, a figure which is impressive and humbling at the same time. I’m sure the public is as proud of them as I am”
CFO Errington continues: “This work is in addition to the Service’s wider effort to assist during the pandemic. Our staff have delivered food, PPE, worked with the vulnerable and assisted at test centres and the additional marshalling support at Durham and Darlington’s vaccination centres.
“One of the positives that has come out of the pandemic is the spirit and resilience of the communities of County Durham and Darlington and I know that vital work undertaken by the Service couldn’t have been done without those communities pulling together and helping each other where needed.”
