A partnership between Norfolk's ambulance and fire services has been shortlisted for a national award.

The collaboration, which aims to provide faster medical assistance, is in the running for collaboration of the year at the Excellence in Fire and Emergency Awards.

The winner will be announced on December 6.

Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service (NFRS) has seven fire stations across the county that respond to medical emergencies.

READ MORE: Council proposes new way to tackle anti-social behaviour in town

Firefighters, trained by the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST), can be sent to life-threatening medical emergencies in their communities.

Since January, NFRS co-responders have been sent to 48 cardiac arrest calls, and in 40pc of cases, fire crews arrived ahead of paramedics.

Firefighters arrived on average three minutes before an ambulance in those incidents.

Tom Barker, EEAST's head of collaborative response, said: "It is fantastic to see our partnership with our fire service colleagues in Norfolk recognised.

"We have successfully demonstrated that by working closely together with other blue light services, patients can benefit."

READ MORE: Snow and ice weather warning issued across Norfolk

Paul Seaman, area manager for operational response at NFRS, said: "I am extremely proud that our teams have been shortlisted for this national award, rightly recognising the commitment shown to their local communities in Norfolk.

"By early 2025 we will have 11 stations fully trained and taking part in the co-responding work, covering a large part of rural Norfolk.

"It has been proven that our crews can add a significantly increased chance of survival where a member of our community suffers a cardiac arrest."

The co-responding fire stations are in Sheringham, Cromer, North Walsham, Dereham, Hunstanton, Heacham, and Sandringham.

Two more stations are currently being trained before going live as co-response stations.