BECOMING A 3PR FIRST RESPONDER

The East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust is looking for volunteers to come on board as community first responders who live in Boxford, Edwardstone or Groton.

Community first responders are activated by the service to attend 999 emergency calls within the community they live or work in. They receive free training to help them provide vital basic life saving skills which can make the difference in a life or death situation before the arrival of an ambulance resource.

Volunteers take it in turn to be 'on call' and carry basic first aid equipment and a simple-to-use automated external defibrillator (AED). The emergency operations centre sends them to the scene of category A (immediately life threatening) 999 calls. First Responders are dispatched at the same time as the ambulance crew, but often arrive beforehand because they are based so locally. The responder then provides care until the ambulance arrives, usually only a few minutes later.

Peter Hibben said: "Anyone living in Boxford, Edwardstone or Groton can get involved with the scheme as a first responder, It's an incredibly rewarding experience and something which demonstrates great community spirit. The more members we can recruit, the more cover we can give. People can be on call for as little or as much time as they're able; what's important is that they want to contribute something worthwhile to the community in a positive way."

The 3PR Community First Responder group launched in 2002 For more information on the group, contact Rich Wild on 01787 210946 or Vic Rice on 01787 210504 or fill in our contact form.

A First Responder is a volunteer who has been recruited and trained to act on behalf of the East of England Ambulance Service, responding to emergency calls when dispatched by ambulance control. They will deal with a specific list of emergencies and provide the patient with support and appropriate treatment until an ambulance arrives.

They exist in towns and villages where it may be a challenge for the emergency ambulance to arrive within the crucial first few minutes.

Who might want to be a Community First Responder (CFR)?

• Adult volunteers of the local community (over 18 years)
• Volunteers who have a genuine desire to help people in need
• Volunteers who wish to use their first aid training and skills to make a real difference
• Volunteers who wish to give some time to an important voluntary organisation

In addition, responders will need to:

• Be able to commit to the EEAS code of conduct
• Have a full driving licence
• Have guaranteed immediate access to a reliable car when on duty
• Be committed to achieving and maintaining a very high standard of First Aid
• Be willing and able to commit to attending training on a regular basis
• Be responsible for the equipment when in their possession
• Be able to leave work or home within minutes when on duty
• Be able to maintain strict patient confidentiality when responding

If you came across one of these, would you know what to do?



Call now and ask about community first responding
YOU could be the difference
01787 210946 or 01787 210504