THE ambulance service has hired a crop of specially trained paramedics to work in hazardous conditions.

West Midlands Ambulance Service has taken on seven new recruits, which have been distributed between their Hazardous Area Response Teams.

The teams have received over £400,000 in extra funding, to help them carry out their work in dangerous environments, such as collapsed structures or contaminated areas.

James Price, who manages the teams, said: “The significance of the Trust’s decision to extend our teams cannot be underestimated.

“Not only does it give us increased resilience in terms of a job the Hazardous Area Response Teams are required to attend.

“It also further develops the skillset of an additional seven members of staff into the diverse operating environment of Hazardous Area Response Teams.

“By increasing the number of Hazardous Area Response Teams paramedics within the West Midlands, we are further enhancing the service patients receive throughout the region when calling 999 in their hour of need.”

West Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust has gone beyond the standard national requirements by hiring the extra paramedics.

There are now seven paramedics in each of the seven Hazardous Area Response Teams.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman added that the extra member on each team will enable a more robust response to incidents.