Emergency Services team up to improve critical care response
An Emergency Services partnership which allows volunteer specialist doctors and critical care paramedics to respond even faster to serious incidents is already bringing impressive results across Leicestershire and the entire East Midlands region.
East Midlands Immediate Care Scheme (EMICS) now have a critical care response vehicle based at Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service's Western Fire Station in New Parks, meaning the totally volunteer-led organisation is at the heart of the community in their busiest county in the East Midlands.
LFRS is providing a home and supporting facilities for the fully equipped vehicle for a trial period ending in January – but all parties are eager to see funding secured so the collaboration can continue.
EMIC's network of highly trained volunteer clinicians respond directly to scenes of critical trauma and severe medical emergencies alongside the NHS ambulance service when every second counts.
Serving communities and saving lives
Roger Linnell, EMICS Critical Care Paramedic and Operations Manager, said having the Medic 21 response car based at Western Fire Station was "invaluable" and will almost certainly save lives.
"The trial has only been operational at Western since October, but we have already seen a significant impact across our busiest patch," he added.
"EMICS clinicians have attended 207 incidents in Leicestershire during 2026, with Medic 21 response vehicle attending 30 incidents in October alone.
Approximately 30% of all EMICS incidents occur within Leicestershire, highlighting the county's significance within our operational activity.
"These figures demonstrate the scale of EMICS activity within Leicestershire and the important role the link-up with Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service can play."
Strategic Lead Ian Johnson said the partnership was a "huge milestone" for EMICS.
"Having dedicated housing for Medic 21 at Western Fire Station, alongside essential storage facilities, makes an immediate operational difference," he said.
"It streamlines our day-to-day logistics, ensures our vehicle and specialist life-saving equipment are maintained in peak readiness, and allows our clinicians to respond even more efficiently when every second counts.
"As an independent charity receiving zero NHS or government funding, facility-sharing partnerships like this are absolutely vital.
"However, keeping Medic 21 on the road, fully equipped with specialist diagnostic tools and life-saving medications, relies entirely on public generosity.
We hope the local community will continue to support EMICS with donations so our volunteer clinicians can keep responding 24/7."
Safer people, safer places
LFRS Group Manager Operational Response (East) Anthony Wildgoose said: "Our collaboration has already helped solve challenges with mobilisation and housing and has been a huge success in dealing with potentially life-threatening incidents.
"EMICS volunteers give time and expertise to protect the communities of Leicestershire and beyond - and that fits perfectly with our core principle of safer people, safer places, so we're so glad we can help.
"By making use of our facilities, we're able to support specialist clinicians who provide vital care."
The partnership also has other benefits. EMICS has already begun discussions with Firefighters at Western Fire Station to look at how the teams work together on road traffic collision exercises and clinical education.
Johnson added: "Embedding ourselves within Western lays a fantastic foundation for long-term collaboration and we're immensely grateful to Leicestershire Fire & Rescue Service for opening their doors to us and for their incredible support."
"We are eager to build on this relationship - not only sharing physical space, but exploring joint operational training and exercise opportunities that ultimately strengthen pre-hospital trauma care and emergency response across the region."
For more information about EMICS and how to support the charity please visit
