Latest News from Five Villages Community First Responders

Could you help save a life in your community in 2007?

Would you like to be part of a team who helps local people when they suffer a life threatening medical problem? The local Five Villages First Responder team based in Misterton are looking for additional volunteers to join the team of dedicated Community First Responders.

We are looking for one or two new people to join the team as First Responders to work with the current team of 6 people. First Responders work in partnership with the Ambulance Service and attend life threatening emergency calls such as collapses, cardiac arrests, chest pains, breathing problems and other similar call outs.

They receive full training in the use of oxygen therapy, resuscitation and heart defibrillation. The local team of Responders currently operate 24x7 cover and are despatched when required by the Ambulance Control Centre with the Responder being able to attend the scene of the emergency and begin treatment of the patient until the arrival of the Ambulance crew. Because the Responders are called from home or work within the local area they can often arrive at the scene first, but are always backed up by an Ambulance. The local team are normally called to emergencies in Misterton, Beckingham, Walkeringham, Gringley on the Hill, West Stockwith and sometimes into the Isle of Axholme.

Martyn Johnson the Group Coordinator said: “We are particularly looking for people who would like to join the team and would be available to cover shifts during the weekend. Especially shifts from 6am to 12noon and/or 12noon to 6pm on Saturday’s and/or Sundays. Between us the current team are normally able to provide cover 24 hours a day, seven days a week, however we would like some additional cover during the weekends to help strengthen our availability and cover.”

Each responder normally commits a certain amount of time per week to be on duty, on a rota basis. While a responder is on call they can continue with their normal day to day activities while in the local area, but must be ready to drop everything and attend a call should one arise while they are on duty. While on duty the responder carries the medical equipment with them in their car, plus an Ambulance Service pager to alert them to call outs.

A volunteer responder needs to be extremely reliable and trust worthy with a mature outlook on life, able to remain confidential about the patients they are called to, good under pressure, able to remain calm in emergency situations, be caring when dealing with patients and have a good level of physical fitness. Prospective responders have to undergo a Criminal Records Bureau Check (CRB) which is carried out by the Ambulance Service and undergo and interview process. Responders also need a full UK driving licence and access to a car while on call.

Previous medical or first aid experience is an advantage, but is not essential, as extensive initial and on-going training and assessment is provided by East Midlands Ambulance Service.

In return First Responder volunteers get a great deal of satisfaction from the work they do. “Being a First Responder can be very rewarding and you can find yourself actually helping your friends, family, neighbours and other members of the local community in their hour of need” said Martyn.

For further information please contact Martyn Johnson on 01427 892901 or e-mail us.

01/01/07.