Firefighters from Cardiff Airport (CWL/EGFF) are providing support to the NHS Dragon’s Heart hospital ((Ysbyty Calon y Ddraig) set up at the Millenium Stadium in Cardiff.
The hospital has been set up to treat Coronavirus (COVID-19) patients boosting NHS bed capacity in Wales.
32 Airport Firefighters will form part of a team of around 55 firefighters to provide around the clock emergency fire cover & response for the Hospital.
Nic Case, Station Manager at Cardiff Airport Fire and Rescue Service, said: “We are extremely proud of the enthusiasm shown by the team here at Cardiff Airport Fire and Rescue to support the national effort by joining the team at the Dragon’s Heart Hospital. The team will continue to work on-site at the airport in order to provide essential cover for critical flights, such as those transporting PPE and medical supplies, as well as undertaking shifts to support the hospital’s operation, staff and patients.
“These are challenging and unprecedented times for everyone, and as the national airport for Wales we are glad to be able to pull together during this critical time and offer our support wherever we can.”
The hospital is equipped to treat up to 2000 patients and officially opened on Monday.
Professor Jonathon Gray, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board’s Director of Transformation and Informatics, added: “Establishing the Dragon’s Heart Hospital in such a short period of time has been a major team effort involving a number of key partners.
“I am pleased that firefighters from Cardiff Airport’s Fire and Rescue Service are joining the team that will be working to ensure the safety of our patients at the hospital, and the staff who will be supporting their recovery from COVID-19.”
This is not the first time Cardiff Airport has been involved with the fight against Coronavirus though, Earlier this week it handled a special flight from Cambodia carrying thousands of pieces of PPE for the Welsh NHS.
A similar flight from Hangzhou, China is due later today.