Community First Responders
What is a Community First Responder?
A Community First Responder is a local volunteer who agrees to undertake training in order to be able to provide life saving treatment to those people within the community who are critically injured or ill in the first few minutes prior to the arrival of an ambulance.
Why do we need Community First Responders?
We know that in many medical emergencies and after accidents, people can die within the first few minutes. We also know that if certain simple but critical interventions can be performed within those first few minutes that life can be saved and disability reduced. This is especially the case for heart attacks, choking and injuries that have caused someone to lose consciousness.
Even the best ambulance service in the world cannot get to every 999 call within the first few minutes. In fact the Scottish Ambulance Service gets to most calls very quickly. But occasionally it may not be quick enough - especially in countryside areas or large commercial complexes.
There is a period of time between the 999 call being made and the ambulance arriving which little or no emergency care takes place. This time period has been called the `therapeutic vacuum`. We know that community based first responders can fill this vacuum and provide essential simple treatment in those crucial first few minutes.
In recent years, advances in technology have been made, and many interventions which were previously performed only by highly trained individuals are now available to people with much less training. These include small, easy to operate `external defibrillators` (AEDs) and lightweight oxygen delivery systems.
The Scottish Ambulance Service believes that with the right training, equipment and support, Community First Responders in Scotland can work alongside the Service and provide the best pre-hospital care that is possible. There are already some schemes working successfully in different parts of the country.
Interested in getting involved?
If you would like more information about becoming a first responder, please contact:
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Vicki Moyes (vmoyes@nhs.net) - West Scotland
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Dalbeattie
Southerness
Wanlockhead
Drummore
Port William
Isle of Whithorn
Garlieston
Largs
Troon
Gretna
Garelochhead/Rosneath
Moffat |
Lochranza/Pirmill
Lamlash ('Co-Responder' scheme with Strathclyde Police)
Dunoon ('Co-Responder' scheme with Strathclyde Police)
Luing
Strachur
Tighnabruaich
Dalavich\Kilchrenan
Rothesay ('Co-Responder' scheme with Strathclyde Police)
Carshairn |
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Andrew Kerr (A.kerr@nhs.net) - East Central Division
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Leuchars
Arbroath
Grangemouth
Falkirk
Denny |
Alloa
Stirling
Stenhousemuir
Bonnybridge
Rosyth |
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Anne Harrison (aharrison4@nhs.net) - West Central Division
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Larkhall
Lanark
Strathaven |
Lesmahagow
Stonehouse
Milngavie |
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Bryan Finlay (bfinlay@scotamb.co.uk) - South East Division
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Selkirk
Jedburgh |
Duns/Eyemouth
Newcastleton |
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Alan Knox (aknox@scotamb.co.uk) - North Division
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East
Westhill
Pitmedden
Stonehaven
Newmachar
Aberdeen Central (British Red Cross)
Aberdeen Trinity Centre
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Tarland
Inverurie
Huntly
Lonach
Maud ( Co- Responder scheme with Grampian Fire & Rescue Service)
Lossiemouth ( Co- Responder scheme with RAF Lossiemouth). |
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West
Achiltibuie
Newtonmore
Fort William
Fort Augustus
Spean & Roy Bridge
Thurso
Helmsdale
Kinbrace
Cromarty
Cannich
Torridon
Kyle of Lochalish (British Red Cross)
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Ness – Isle of Lewis
Bernera – Isle of Lewis
Uig – Isle of Lewis
Breasclete – Isle of Lewis
Carloway – Isle of Lewis
South Lochs – Isle of Lewis
Bayhead – North Uist
Harris – Isle of Lewis.
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