Fire Service Cardiac & Cars

Summary

The requester asked for statistics on cardiac arrest responses and details regarding unmarked fire service vehicles. The authority disclosed the number and purpose of unmarked vehicles but refused to provide cardiac arrest statistics as it would require creating new records.

Key Facts

• The Fire and Rescue Service operates four unmarked response vehicles.
• Unmarked vehicles are used by the Senior Incident Command Group for 24/7 tactical and strategic cover.
• The Fire Service attends cardiac arrests as both first responders and additional resources to the Ambulance Service.
• The request for cardiac arrest statistics was refused because compiling the data would require creating new records or analysis.
• Unmarked vehicles are used to save costs where the expected frequency of emergency response is lower.

Data Disclosed

• 4
• 2025-07-01
• 2025-07-22
• 4768933

Exemptions Cited

• Requirement to create or derive new records from existing information
• Requirement to undertake research or analysis of held information

Original Request

Dear DHA In 2025 so far, how many Cardiac Arrests have the fire service gone to? How many unmarked response vehicles do the fire service have? For clarity these are vehicles with lights and sirens but no Fire markings or Battenberg reflectors. Why do the fire service need undercover response vehicles?

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Freedom of Information Coordinator DHA Headquarters Tromode Road, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM2 5AP

Telephone: (01624) 687017 Web address: www.gov.im/dha
Email: DPO-DHA@dha.gov.im

Our ref: 4768933 22 July 2025

Dear ###

We write further to your request, received 1 July 2025, which states:

"Dear DHA

1. In 2025 so far, how many Cardiac Arrests have the fire service gone to?

2. How many unmarked response vehicles do the fire service have?
   For clarity these are vehicles with lights and sirens but no Fire markings or Battenberg reflectors.

3. Why do the fire service need undercover response vehicles?"

4. While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance, complying with your request would require the Department of Home Affairs (the Department) to create or derive new records from the information that it holds as well as undertake research into, or analysis of, information that it holds. As a service the Fire and Safety Rescue Team attend cardiac arrests as both first response and as an additional resource to assist colleagues in the Ambulance Service. They may also go to incidents where they have been mobilised to a cardiac arrest incident but have stood down before arrival for example. As such, different events may be recorded differently and so would require a compilation of existing information to create a new record.
   In keeping with the advice and assistance, the Fire and Rescue Team have extended an offer to speak to them directly should you like any further information about the Fire and Rescue service fleet or have a particular interest in any aspect of it. Should you wish to speak to them, you can contact the Fire Service Head Quarters Directly and they will be happy to help.

5. The Fire & Rescue Service operates four unmarked response vehicles, which are used by members of the Senior Incident Command Group. Officers in this

group provide 24/7 Tactical and Strategic Incident Command cover and, on occasion, are required to respond under blue light conditions to operational incidents.
3. The decision on whether to fully livery Fire Service vehicles is an operational one. In cases where the expected frequency of emergency response is lower, opting not to fully livery a vehicle offers cost saving.
Please quote the reference number 4768933 in any future communications.

Your right to request a review

If you are unhappy with this response to your freedom of information request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response, by completing a complaint form and submitting it electronically or by delivery/post.

An electronic version of our complaint form can be found by going to our website at https://services.gov.im/freedom-of-information/Review . If you would like a paper version of our complaint form to be sent to you by post, please contact me and I will be happy to arrange for this. Your review request should explain why you are dissatisfied with this response, and should be made as soon as practicable. We will respond as soon as the review has been concluded.

If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Information Commissioner for a decision on; 1. Whether we have responded to your request for information in accordance with Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015; or 2. Whether we are justified in refusing to give you the information requested.
In response to an application for review, the Information Commissioner may, at any time, attempt to resolve a matter by negotiation, conciliation, mediation or another form of alternative dispute resolution and will have regard to any outcome of this in making any subsequent decision. More detailed information on your right to a review can be found on the Information Commissioner’s website at www.inforights.im. Should you have any queries concerning this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me. Further information about freedom of information requests can be found at www.gov.im/foi. I will now close your request as of this date.