Could You Be First Responders?

First responders save lives.  Too often when there is an emergency the ambulance crew are not able to get there within the first few vital minutes.  Locally based, community first responders are volunteers who are trained by the Ambulance Service.  They attend certain types of emergency calls in the area where they live or work.

Their aim is to reach a potential life threatening emergency in those first vital minutes before the ambulance crew arrives.  Their role is to help stabilise the patient and provide the appropriate care until the more highly skilled ambulance crew arrives on scene to take over the treatment.

West Bergholt

In West Bergholt there are only 3 First Responders and, as one reported earlier today:

I have been on call for 2 hours today and had 3 calls to attend within our area. We also need to try to raise funds as the money raised 7 months ago has nearly all gone on new equipment. We are happy to come to any events you have to raise our profile. First Responders in the local community saves lives, had one in the village hall last night.

Who Can Be One?

Anyone can become a community first responder but you must:

• be physically fit
• be aged between 18-70
• agree to a disclosure and barring service check (DBS). This was previously known as criminal records bureau disclosure or CRB.
• have a sympathetic, caring nature
• agree to undertake training, which the Ambulance Service will provide
• have a full driving licence and access to a road worthy car.

You decide how many hours you can spare but the typical first responder is on call about 20 hours a month.

This could be you…

Find Out More

You can contact the local group via Facebook, or by email to [antibot mailto=”[email protected]”].