First Responder Team Celebrate 10 Years Serving Local Community

The "Five Villages First Responder" team who are based in Misterton celebrated their 10th Birthday on Saturday (29th March, 2014)
and saw a huge turn out from the local community to an event held to mark the occasion.

The celebration event was held to thank local individuals, organisations and businesses for their support over the last ten years, and offered complimentary cake and refreshments to all who attended.

"We have received massive support since the team launched in 2004 and the event was our way of saying thank you back to all those involved. The public turned out on mass to the event on Saturday and it was a real success" said Martyn Johnson, who is the coordinator of the First Responder unit. "People who have organised fund raising events in the past came along. Several patients that we have been called out to over the years also attended; seeing them and hearing their stories and words of praise for the care given to them by the team was very satisfying for everyone involved. Praise and a very big thanks also goes to all the dedicated volunteers who have given up hundreds of hours each year as part of their role as Community Responders."

The group also showed life saving techniques to the public including how to perform hands only CPR, as well as displays of Community First
Responder (CFR) equipment and information. A special cake in the shape of an automated defibrillator was cut as part of the celebration.

The CFR team work alongside East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) in the local villages and since they launched have attended over 1,675
call outs. Because of their location within the local community they are called to potentially life threatening emergencies and can give care to
patients until the arrival of the ambulance.

Mick Barnett-Connolly (Head of EMAS Community Response) said: "The Five Villages First Responder team does a remarkable job. They give up their time to be on call to help save more lives in the community. We at EMAS would like to say congratulations on a fantastic achievement for the scheme and the people it has served in the local communities during the last ten years."

The team covers the villages of Misterton, Beckingham, Walkeringham, Gringley on the Hill, West Stockwith and surrounding areas.
A further CFR unit which is part of the same group has just launched to cover Mattersey, Clayworth and Everton, with more potential volunteers
required in all of these villages.