THE future of a scheme where Lancashire firefighters can provide initial treatment for heart attack victims is hanging in the balance.

A pilot project in Ormskirk and Morecambe has been rolled out to five East Lancashire stations over the past four months.

But Fire Brigades Union (FBU) leaders have voiced pay and health and safety concerns over the initiatives nationally.

The Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service is holding back on rolling out the work to other county stations until the FBU’s approach is determined.

Matt Wrack, the union’s general secretary, said: “There are a number of ‘red lines’ which we have put to the employers and there is no guarantee these trials will continue.

“These are on operational and health and safety concerns and they need to come back to us on pay and conditions.”

The union, ahead of a pay announcement in July, has also flagged up issues raised by members over a perceived lack of information sharing between ambulance trusts and fire services.

In a report to Lancashire Fire Authority’s planning committee, deputy chief officer Justin Johnston told councillors the original intention was for firefighters to respond to ‘red’ emergency calls, also covering suspected strokes, asthma attacks and fits.

But ambulance unions lobbied for the calls to be restricted to cardiac arrests only, he said. This had led to only a couple of calls per week being handled.

The scheme was rolled out to Nelson, Hyndburn, Blackburn, Great Harwood and Darwen stations between December and January. fielding just 11 calls amid call-handling issues between the two services.

Mr Johnston added: “This process is proving less effective than at first considered and a resolution is being pursued.”