South East Coast Ambulance Service launches highly-skilled hazardous response team

South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Trust (SECAmb) has launched a new team of clinicians specially trained to deliver life-saving treatment in hazardous environments



SECAmb’s Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) began responding to calls at the beginning of the week after the official launch that took place last week. Members of the team have been specially trained to safely treat patients in the ‘hot zone’ of a major incident.



The first HART will be based in Ashford, but will be able to answer calls across Kent, Sussex and Surrey and, if necessary, outside the South East Coast.

HART will temporary be based at Brookfields Industrial Estate, Ashford, before moving next year to a permanent site in the town.

Through HART, SECAmb will ensure that people with life-threatening injuries at incidents receive the treatment they need quickly.

The team consists of approximately 40 clinicians, following a 10 week intensive training with specialist breathing apparatus and gas-tight chemical suits.

Andy Parr, head of Emergency Preparedness at SECAmb said: “The HART initiative will mean that ambulance clinicians are now able to reach patients at the point where care needs to be delivered and to further influence the outcome of many of our patients. The SECAmb HART members have been working very hard over the past months to develop new skills to help in this new, exciting and necessary role.”


Also, after they will be trained in safe working around inland water, HART will form the ambulance service’s maritime incident response squad.

HART manager Matthew England said: “SECAmb’s HART will significantly enhance the service the Trust can provide at major incidents or at emergencies with hazardous environments. HART will allow patients who are trapped, or in areas previously deemed unsafe for ambulance staff to enter, the opportunity to receive clinical care at a much earlier stage than has been previously possible.
“Traditionally, at certain incidents, the ambulance service relies on firefighters making the scene safe before entering or has to wait for fire crews to bring patients to us. Fire crews will of course still perform this vital role but HART clinicians will be able to help remove patients from smoke-filled environments, for example; and have received the necessary specialist training to enable them to bring high-quality care to those patients who urgently require it.”
SECAmb Chief Executive Paul Sutton concluded: “As an emergency service, SECAmb is of course already trained and experienced in expertly dealing with major incidents and this will continue. However, the introduction of HART enhances that experience and capability further still. HART is a valuable addition for the Trust and I look forward to hearing of the fantastic service the team will provide across our region.”