Cardiff Airport firefighters provide support to the Dragon’s Heart Hospital in Cardiff

Cardiff Airport firefighters will be providing support at the Dragon’s Heart Hospital (Ysbyty Calon y Ddraig) in Cardiff’s Principality Stadium. The field hospital officially opened its doors last Monday and is equipped to provide up to 2,000 additional beds for COVID-19 patients.

32 firefighters from Cardiff Airport’s Fire and Rescue service will form part of a team of approximately 55 firefighters, working on a shift basis to ensure that essential 24/7 fire cover is provided at 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.” 

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.” 

Cardiff Airport continues to play a key role in the national effort, working closely with airline partners and the authorities to facilitate medical flights, ensuring transportation of vital cargo around the UK. This week, Cardiff Airport handled a critical flight arriving from the Far East, transporting vital PPE to be distributed to front-line staff in Wales, and is scheduled to welcome a second flight this week carrying PPE from China. British Airways also made use of the Cardiff Airport airfield and its BA Maintenance Centre to park 14 aircraft while commercial flights are grounded.