Latest News from Five Villages Community First Responders

FIRST RESPONDERS HIT MILE STONE OF 300 CALL OUTS

The 'Five Villages First Responders' team who are called to medical emergencies in Misterton, West Stockwith, Beckingham, Walkeringham, Gringley and surrounding parishes, have hit another mile stone by attending their 300th call out since going live in April 2004.

The seven strong team of volunteers who are trained by East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) normally provide cover 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They are called upon via pager by EMAS when a '999' call has been made within the villages, and they can arrive first and begin vital life saving care until the Ambulance arrives.

The Community First Responders can deal with emergencies such as collapses, and cardiac arrests, as well as patients suffering from chest pains, breathing problems, fits, strokes and other life threatening medical situations.

They carry life saving oxygen therapy equipment and automated defibrillators which are used to deliver a controlled shock to the heart of patients who have collapsed and suffered a cardiac arrest. In these cases, the patients chances of survival decreases by 10% for every one minute that goes by without them receiving care.

"This statistic highlights just how important it is that a response is received as quickly as possible", said Martyn Johnson, First Responders Group Co-ordinator.

"Since our launch in April 2004 we have now attended over 300 emergency calls within the local area, in nearly all cases because of our rural location and the fact the Responders on duty are very close by, we have been able to arrive several minutes before the Ambulance crew who have to travel from either Gainsborough, Retford or Worksop, and in life threatening situations these minutes can be vital."

Martyn went on to say; "The First Responder Team would like to thank local people and businesses for their support and financial donations, which keeps us running. All our team are dedicated volunteers and we rely upon the very kind donations from the local community to help with running costs and the purchase of additional equipment."