Responding to Vulnerability in Practice – Ambulance, Police and Fire and Rescue Services

This chapter contains three separate professional and practice contributions from senior personnel. It discusses how readers are uniquely placed to discuss the practical issues and categories of vulnerability in the region. Often, the authors are working in conjunction with other emergency services to mitigate situations that may cause vulnerability. This chapter addresses the operational responsibilities of prioritising safeguarding and welfare for an ambulance service. Areas of vulnerability are identified through attendance at 999 call outs and include common circumstances such as adults living alone, predominantly the frail elderly, who may be struggling to take medication correctly, attend to their own personal or domestic hygiene and are at risk of falls. One of the greatest challenges in identifying vulnerability are the changing patterns of abuse and the methods used for exploitation.