A NUMBER of Weymouth's firefighters have been temporarily taken off active duty after a member of staff from the town's fire station tested positive for Covid.

Eleven members of staff from the station - including frontline firefighters - who have come into close contact with the person who tested positive are now self-isolating as a precaution.

The depletion in crew numbers means there may be times over the coming days that the town's on-call fire engine will be off the run.

But the fire service insisted there were 'tried and tested procedures in place to ensure that fire cover is maintained as well as possible while staff are unable to attend work'.

They insisted the public should not be concerned about getting an emergency response from the fire service if they call 999, despite the temporary reduction in numbers.

Group Manager Jason Moncrieff said: “A member of staff at Weymouth fire station has this week started to display symptoms and tested positive for Covid-19 while off duty.

"In line with Public Health England guidance and Service procedures, ten other members of staff who have been in close contact with them whilst on duty in the days previously are now self-isolating as a precaution.

“We have a number of strict control measures in place to reduce the risk of staff transmitting the virus, such as wearing face coverings and PPE, maintaining social distancing where possible and stringent cleaning routines.

"How we work at our premises and how we train have been adapted to meet these control measures; however, it is impossible to avoid close contact – as defined by Public Health England – when attending emergency calls and dealing with emergency situations.

“For all events where we experience crewing absences, we have tried and tested procedures in place to ensure that fire cover is maintained as well as possible while staff are unable to attend work.

"As such, the public should not worry that they won’t get an emergency response if they call 999 and ask for the fire service. We also have health & wellbeing support in place for staff affected by Covid-19.”