What we do:
We are volunteers trained in first aid, basic life support and Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) use. First Responders attend certain 999 calls to provide emergency first aid until an ambulance arrives. We are activated by Ambulance Control via a dedicated pager system.
Why?
Rural
areas can challenge the ambulance services arrival on scene within the critical
8 minutes. Local volunteers know the area, often know the patient and if more
volunteers arrive than is necessary to treat the patient, then they can speed up
the ambulance's arrival by guiding it. Villages in Cumbria have many house names
rather than numbers which can be a nightmare to find. Local knowledge is a great
help.
The survival rate of an out of hospital cardiac arrest is up to 30% higher with early attendance, basic life support, defibrillation, and advanced life support.
Aims of First Responders
The aim of the First Responder is to be with you as quickly as possible before the ambulance arrives. We are locals and should know the area.
The First Responder will assess the situation, and can be in contact with the Ambulance Control from whom they will receive expert help and back up as the ambulance makes its way to you.
The ultimate aim is to buy time for the patient and increase their chance of survival whilst the ambulance and crew are on its way. Also, it can seem a long time before the ambulance arrives and the First Responder's secondary role can be a supportive one.
Can the First Responder take the place of the ambulance?
This is a definite no! Although First Responders are there to initiate treatment and support as appropriate while further medical help gets to you. They will do everything within their training to provide life support during this time.
Remember the Ambulance will always have been dispatched first and is on its way.
Training
In addition to attending certain 999 calls, an offshoot is the Basic Life Support Training that we undertake. Ralph and Steve our ambulance service team members have trained whole primary schools! That is 4-11 year olds in mouth to mouth and chest compressions - the children were excellent and put many adults to shame.
In addition to training kids, we also train nearby First Responder Teams, in order to do this to our usual professional standard, we have been given a Training AED and Resusci Annie kindly donated by South Street Surgery. (Thank you Dr. Lees and Dr. Cowan).
In addition to the above, Heartstart gave the affiliated training side of our group a number of Resusci Annies and it is because of this that it is possible to train in the numbers that we do.
Why?
Rural
areas can challenge the ambulance services arrival on scene within the critical
8 minutes. Local volunteers know the area, often know the patient and if more
volunteers arrive than is necessary to treat the patient, then they can speed up
the ambulance's arrival by guiding it. Villages in Cumbria have many house names
rather than numbers which can be a nightmare to find. Local knowledge is a great
help.
(Our nickname is “the chevrons” for our ability to point the way in high viz jackets, another innovative idea of the team.)
The survival rate of an out of hospital cardiac arrest is up to 30% higher with early attendance, basic life support, defibrillation, and advanced life support.
Aims of First Responders
The aim of the First Responder is to be with you as quickly as possible before the ambulance arrives. We are locals and should know the area.
The First Responder will assess the situation, and can be in contact with the Ambulance Control from whom they will receive expert help and back up as the ambulance makes its way to you.
The ultimate aim is to buy time for the patient and increase their chance of survival whilst the ambulance and crew are on its way. Also, it can seem a long time before the ambulance arrives and the First Responder's secondary role can be a supportive one.
Can the First Responder take the place of the ambulance?
This is a definite no! Although First Responders are there to initiate treatment and support as appropriate while further medical help gets to you. They will do everything within their training to provide life support during this time.
Remember the Ambulance will always have been dispatched first and is on its way.
Training
In addition to attending certain 999 calls, an offshoot is the Basic Life Support Training that we undertake. Ralph and Steve (Paramedics) & other team members have trained whole primary schools! That is 4-11 year olds in mouth to mouth and chest compressions - the children were excellent and put many adults to shame.
In addition to training kids, those qualified have helped in the training of nearby First Responder Teams, in order to do this to our usual professional standard, we have been given a Training AED and Resusci Annie kindly donated by South Street Surgery. (Thank you Dr. Lees and Dr. Cowan).
In addition to the above, Heartstart gave the affiliated training side of our group a number of Resusci Annies and it is because of this that it is possible to train in the numbers that we do.
As a team we are lucky to have Paramedics, however the bulk of the team is made up of ordinary men and women who are extraordinary in their skills attitudes and support of their community.
How do I find out more about becoming a Responder?
If you are interested in joining the team, or making a contribution to this voluntary community service, please contact the any of the team or committee members, or Contact the Ambulance Service. For Broughton and Brigham Tel: 01900 824542
Or please contact the any of the team or committee members. e-mail Responders
or Tel: 01900 824542
Ambulance Service Association Profile of a First Responder (pdf) Use "back" button on your browser to return to First-Responders.com
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