Politicians have agreed to trial a new scheme that will see firefighters dispatched to people in cardiac arrest.

Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue and the East of England Ambulance Service want fire crews to act as first responders in some medical emergencies.

Hertfordshire County Council’s community safety and waste management panel approved a trial of the scheme this afternoon.

In the proposed pilot, when someone dials 999 to report a suspected cardiac arrest the ambulance service will assess if a fire crew can get to the victim faster than them.

In these cases firefighters will go to the scene and begin treatment until the ambulance arrives.

A fire engine would be deployed because it has a defibrillator and other lifesaving equipment.

Ambulance bosses say it is vital victims get treatment as quickly as possible and believe firefighters have suitable training.

During the six-month trial, which could start on April 1, firefighters from Watford and Stevenage will respond to cardiac arrests as well as completing their normal duties.

Adam Gretton, spokesman for the East of England Ambulance Service, said: “We strongly believe other emergency colleagues have the ability to support us in the delivery of services to patients experiencing an immediately life-threatening event.

“This will help improve patient care and save lives. When someone is in cardiac arrest, immediate and effective CPR and the use of a defibrillator can greatly increase the chances of survival.

“The ambulance service will continue to send paramedics to these patients as a priority, but the best thing for the patient is to get someone trained in basic life support to their side as quickly as possible.”

David Barlow, spokesman for Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue, said: “There might be times when an ambulance is eight minutes away, but a fire engine would get there in four minutes.

“It is about trying to help the public quicker.”

Mr Barlow said the service was “quite clear” it was not interested in using its budget and resources to cover the ambulance service if it was not meeting its performance targets.

He added: “We have got these firefighters who may not be responding to anything and they have these skills and they could be helping people rather than being parked up in the station. It is not about trying to massage the figures.”

The East of England Ambulance Service has failed to meet their eight minute target time for reaching patients in a critical condition – including people in cardiac arrest – for the last five months.

And Hertfordshire County Council says firefighters becoming first responders “presents a very positive opportunity to assist East of England Ambulance Service for certain incident types”.

A similar scheme has been brought in in Manchester. The Fire Brigades Union has withdrawn its objection to such schemes.

Tony Smith, from Hertfordshire Fire Brigade Union, said: “I think it is broadly supported by the firefighters. If we think we can help, we always will help.

“It is important for us that it is done properly and we are working with management to make sure that is the case.

“One of the purposes of the trial is to see if those two duties can go together and if we can be useful in this secondary role.”

The latest figures compiled by the ambulance service show the trust failed to reach 64 per cent of patients within their eight minute target time.

County council officials admit the expected call volume will be low during the trial period.

The British Heart Foundation argues first responder schemes can help people get vital help quicker.