In April 2024, an ambulance caught fire in Staffordshire while the crew was off-loading a patient. While no one was injured, it was clearly a near-miss event that could have had very serious consequences. A number of actions and learnings were undertaken following the incident.
This included an independent fire scene investigator being commissioned to complete a full factual investigation including confirming the probable cause and recommendations. This was supplemented by a full internal investigation by our Quality Team looking at the actions the crews and management took before, during and after the event.
Ultimately, the fire was deemed to be accidental, with the ignition being a fault with the 12V internal battery, and the crews were commended for their actions. However, a number of learnings were identified and actions have been taken to ensure they have been learned across the business:
• An additional check has been added to our 13-week safety inspections by a trained mechanic to ensure a physical visual inspection of the battery is completed to check for any wear and tear.
• Emergency Response Protocols: The incident has become a case study to help train staff about the principles and appropriate actions to take during an emergency.
• Communication with Passengers and the Public: While our colleagues took immediate action, the event highlighted the importance of clear communication with patients, their families and the public when an incident occurs. We have reviewed our communication procedures to ensure that, in an emergency, there is a clear plan for notifying the relevant authorities and affected individuals as swiftly as possible.
To read other stories from our Organisation-Wide Newsletter published in January 2025 click here.
