People from some of the most disadvantaged parts of London are receiving the COVID-19 vaccine thanks to London Fire Brigade (LFB). The brigade have committed mobile shelters so doctors can access densely populated areas where residents have limited access to transport routes.

The all-weather mass decontamination units – normally used at chemical incidents – have their own lighting and heating and can be set up anywhere within an hour. Brigade vehicles have also been adapted to become mobile lateral flow testing and vaccination centres and firefighters will be on hand to give socially distanced fire safety advice.

LFB Working with faith leaders

LFB have also joined forces with the Covid Crisis Rescue Foundation to bring the vaccine to large groups of vulnerable people who are without access to vaccination hubs.

As part of the move, LFB have identified five fire stations and buildings across the capital as potential vaccination hubs. London Fire Commissioner Andy Roe said: “At every stage of this pandemic my staff have stepped up and used their skills, knowledge and compassion to help. The latest in a long list of initiatives that London Fire Brigade has put in place to support Londoners during Covid-19. Currently 185 firefighters are driving ambulances and since April they have attended more than 110,000 incidents alongside a medically trained practitioner.

“They have also helped to deliver 20 million pieces of vital PPE to social care providers and fire crews have brought medicine and food to London’s most vulnerable. Now we are ready, willing and able to assist in the largest vaccination process this country has ever seen. We are experts in getting fire safety information to hard to reach groups so we jumped at the chance to help Covid Crisis Rescue Foundation vaccinate more Londoners.

“Fire stations are strategically placed across London, trusted, safe and at the heart of our community. Londoners can be proud of the work their fire service has provided to support their communities during this most testing of times.

“Londoners can be proud that their fire service is stepping up and prepared under clinical guidance to administer the vaccine and increasing the roll out so we can combat Covid-19 sooner.”

Throughout the pandemic, LFB have helped assist the fight against COVID-19. Over 150 LFB staff are working with London Ambulance Service to boost their emergency response.