Firefighters have arrived at St John Ambulance headquarters in Belmont to begin training as the service battles a staff shortage due to COVID.

Premier Mark McGowan announced earlier in the week that 48 firefighters will be trained to operate ambulances after crippling staff shortages and fatal delays.

“WA firefighters are walking in to St John Ambulance Service to be trained in driving ambulance vehicles to assist with the state’s struggling health system,” 9 News Perth reporter Zarisha Bradley told Gareth Parker on 6PR Breakfast.

“They will be training over the course of the weekend, to be on our roads by Tuesday… so we’ll have more hands on deck by then.”

Their training comes after the WA government announced two senior health officers and two police officers would be stationed at St John headquarters to address concerns about the delays.

Press PLAY below to hear more on the training