Fire engines are being drafted in to be used as makeshift ambulances because of overstretched accident and emergency departments, according to the Fire Brigades Union (FBU).
FBU general secretary Matt Wrack said it meant firefighters were being diverted away from their work to help ambulance services.
He said: “The A&E crisis is a direct result of the Government's failed austerity agenda.
"The public are being put at risk because the Government have cut staff, resources and equipment in both the NHS and fire and rescue service.
"In certain incidences firefighters have been diverted away from doing their own work to cover for mistakes made by this Government in the NHS.
"The knock-on effect means that vital fire prevention work will be compromised as well as the ability to respond to other fire emergencies at a time of year where firefighters are expecting to deal with an increased number of flooding incidents across the UK.
"The A&E crisis is a product of this Government's failed policies - they need to get a grip."
