Lancashire firefighters are "ready and willing" to help deliver Covid-19 vaccine rollout

Fire and Rescue staff have been on the frontline of fighting the pandemic

Bosses at Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service say their frontline staff are ready to help administer Covid-19 vaccines if needed.

It comes after reports in national newspapers that the NHS is poised to recruit more than 40,000 extra workers to roll out the jabs.

According to Government sources spoken to by The Sun, firefighters will join a specially trained army of 40,000 extra workers recruited to roll out Pfizer jabs at record speed.

NHS bosses are said to be targeting retired doctors and nurses to help, as well as other workers with first-aid skills, such as firefighters, PCSOs and members of the Armed Forces.

When asked by The Post whether arrangements had been made, a spokesman for Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service said: “Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service staff have been providing a wide range of support to the communities of Lancashire since the start of the pandemic.

"We have taken part in the distribution of food stocks for vulnerable people, the distribution of bulk PPE to care homes and engaging with at risk communities whilst also maintaining our emergency response.

"The service is ready and willing to assist the NHS in the rollout of the vaccination programme across Lancashire and we are continuing to support the planning with the Lancashire Resilience Forum about our specific role.”

Lancashire Constabulary has also been approached for comment, as has the Department for Health and Social Care, which would run the recruitment drive.