Paramedics will use fire stations in plan

Paramedics could soon be based at fire stations across the Black Country, it was revealed today.

Eleven fire stations are being considered as ambulance bases, with bosses saying they were making "good progress" on the scheme.

The move would see paramedics respond to emergency 999 calls from the fire stations. It is hoped it will speed up the time it takes to get to patients as medical staff will be more spread out across communities.

Fire stations being considered include Walsall, Aldridge, Bloxwich, Tettenhall, Wolverhampton, Bilston, Stourbridge, West Bromwich, Wednesbury, Tipton and Smethwick.

The scheme is part of the £7 million shake-up of West Midlands Ambulance Service. As part of the overhaul, which is being brought in to mirror the set-up in Staffordshire, 13 ambulance stations will close and be replaced with 29 community bases.