Community first responders wanted to help save lives in Barkway
BARKWAY residents are being called to help save a life. The East of England Ambulance Service is looking for volunteers who live or work in the village to come on board as community first responders. Known as CFR s, Community First Responders are activate
BARKWAY residents are being called to help save a life.
The East of England Ambulance Service is looking for volunteers who live or work in the village to come on board as community first responders.
Known as CFR's, Community First Responders are activated by the East of England Ambulance Service to attend a variety of 999 emergency calls within their local community.
Steve Catley, locality responder manager for Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire, said: "Anyone living or working within their local community can get involved with the scheme; they can either be a first responder, or they can help with other vital aspects of the scheme as scheme co-ordinator, fundraising or general admin help to the group.
"It's an incredibly rewarding experience and something which demonstrates great community spirit," he said.
A spokesman for the ambulance service added that CFR's are able to deliver basic life saving skills which can make the difference before the arrival of an ambulance at an incident.
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He said: "They are dispatched by the emergency operations centre at the same time as the ambulance crew or rapid response vehicle, but often arrive first on scene because they are based so locally. The responder then provides clinical care until paramedic's arrive.
"Volunteers take it in turn to be 'on call' and carry basic first aid equipment and a simple-to-use automated external defibrillator (AED)."
No previous experience is required, as all volunteers under take training to equip them with the skills needed to carry out the role, which is fully supported by the ambulance service.
For more information on community first responders, contact the responder admin office on 01284 731802 or email responderadmin@eastamb.nhs.uk
