Community First Responders… an important new service for Radnage

What is a Community First Responder?
Community First Responders are volunteers trained to attend emergency calls received by the ambulance service and provide care until the ambulance arrives.

Volunteers can arrive at an emergency scene in a matter of minutes, as they are sent to calls in their local area by the ambulance service.

The Radnage scheme operates as a community partnership with the South Central Ambulance Service. Having someone in the community who has been trained in first aid and can reach a patient quickly can make all the difference. Volunteers operate as part of a rota system from their own home or place of work. They are dispatched at the same time as an ambulance via ambulance control to attend Category A emergency calls.

Community First Responders are dispatched to calls under normal road conditions using their own cars.

What training does a Community First Responder have?
Every Community Responder is qualified by attending a training course and passing an exam. All responders are required to attend update training every six months. The course covers the following aspects of emergency care;

Scene management.
Unconscious casualty management.
Airway management.
Cardiac arrest.
CPR (Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation).
AED (Automatic External Defibrillator).
Management of epilepsy.
Diabetic emergencies.
Cardiac conditions.
Oxygen therapy.
Infection control.
Respiratory illnesses.
Communication and Confidentiality.
Preparing for active duty.

What equipment does a Community First Responder carry?
A Community First Responder’s kit consists of a first aid kit and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) as well as a separate bag for oxygen therapy.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP
We would like to thank all those who have supported the setting up of the Community First Responders in Radnage.

We are very grateful to all of you who have bought raffle tickets, made donations, attended the Progressive Support and helped to make the fabulous quilt that was raffled as part of our fundraising (and was won by Revd. Linda).

We would also like to thank the WI for the superb tea that helped make the Bridge Drive such a success, Michael Wilson and Sally Fawell for their help with the organisation of the Bridge Drive and John Scales for providing delicious nibbles on the evening of the quilt draw, as well as for his overall support for the Community First Responders.

The first group of volunteers underwent training in 2011 and there have been several changes in personnel since then. 

If you would like any more information about our fundraising or the service that is offered please call Steve Head on 07900 912050

The quilt being raffled for Community First Responders

The beautiful quilt that was raffled to help pay for the medical kit for our Community First Responders

Further information:
South Central Ambulance Service
Terry Duffell Photography and Design