Attleborough First Responders
The Concept of a Community Responder Scheme
A Responder Scheme is made up of groups of volunteers who, within the community in which they live or work, have been trained to attend emergency calls received by the NHS Ambulance Service, providing first aid until an emergency ambulance arrives.
What did we do in our first year (1stJune 06 31stMay 07) Responded to 191 x 999 emergency calls.
Arrived before the Ambulance on 158 of these calls.
Attended 7 cardiac arrests and used our defibrillator 3 times.
Gave oxygen 80 to people, before an Ambulance arrived.
Gave Hypostop to 4 diabetics with reduced consciousness, before an Ambulance arrived.
Who can become a Community Responder?
A Community Responder would be between 18 and 70 years of age, physically fit, able to achieve a satisfactory standard of proficiency after training, have a full driving licence, access to a car and have a sympathetic, caring approach to people.
All volunteers are the Criminal Records Bureau checked (Enhanced level) prior to being allowed to complete training.
Training Meetings.
We meet on the 2ndTuesday of every month. 7.30pm at Connaught Hall (The Francis Room)
If you are interested in joining our group, please feel free to come along and meet us.
Dr Richard Cummins, from Seattle, USA discovered that if a series of events took place in a set sequence, a heart attack victim has a greater chance of survival. These events are known as the “Chain of Survival”.
- Early Access
- Early Resuscitation
- Early Defibrillation
- Early Advanced Life Support
If a person suffering a heart attack receives treatment within 8 minutes they stand a better chance of surviving. If an ambulance has to travel to us from Norwich, it would take longer than this to arrive.
East Anglian Ambulance NHS Trust believes that by introducing a scheme where Community Responders are trained in providing the first three events in the chain, there would be a significant improvement in the chance of survival.
Ideally each group would consist of between 10 and 15 First responders. The group meets regularly to arrange events such as;
- Fund Raising Activities
- Availability of Members for Rota planning
- Revision Training
- Case Reviews
- Social Events
Volunteers between them are able to provide one member ‘on call’ through a rota system. The rotas are agreed by the group and, although there are no minimum or maximum periods of availability for individual members. Between the group we aim to provide cover 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
The main responsibilities of a Community Responder are:
- To attend emergency calls in their area at the direction of the Ambulance Communications Centre and achieve, where possible, a response within 8 minutes.
- To provide appropriate treatment to patients prior to arrival of an ambulance.
- To document, record and inform attending Ambulance Crews of the history and treatment given.
- When required, provide continuing care under the direction of the Ambulance Crew.
- To remain at the scene of an incident until relieved by an Ambulance Crew.
The Ambulance Communications Centre receives emergency calls at all times throughout the day and night.
The number and nature of these calls are difficult to predict, however, it is anticipated that the group would receive up to 20 requests per month from the East Anglian Ambulance Service.
Types of calls would include chest pains, breathing difficulties and collapses due to other medical problems.
Some calls are considered unsuitable to send Community Responders to attend; these include maternity incidents or known violent situations.
People still dial ‘999’ or ‘112’. Responders will be called by the East Anglian Ambulance Emergency Medical Communications Centre via mobile.
An emergency ambulance will always be despatched to the incident.
Community Responders will receive training in the use of an AED (Automated External Defibrillator), oxygen therapy, and operational procedures to be able to competently carry out duties that will promote the well being of the patient until an Emergency Ambulance or other trained personnel arrives on scene.
This training is initially takes 17 hours to complete.
During the training period, candidates will be assessed by approved qualified instructors and have to pass satisfactorily practical and written examinations before being allowed to participate as a Community Responder.
All Community Responders will be required to participate in on-going training programmes, which will include re-assessment of Basic Life Support techniques including defibrillation.
Although the East Anglian Ambulance service provides all training free of charge to the group, the group is responsible for raising money to purchase its own equipment.
It costs a minimum of £2,500 to equip a Community Responder. We are therefore dependant on donations in order to continue.
Following all serious incidents the designated Ambulance Service representative would be available to offer any relevant help or support.
As a volunteer, you would not be paid, however you would get the satisfaction of helping others in your community.
- 1. A small personal donation towards our annual running costs.
- 2. A larger company donation. As a registered charity, any donation you make to us could be offset against the tax your company pays. Your sponsorship could really make the difference between life and death for people in Attleborough.
- 3. Release a volunteering employee to attend emergencies. If Employers in Attleborough allowed an employee who joins the group to respond to calls from the Ambulance Service during working hours we could offer 24 hour, 365 days a year, cover for the town. This could also give them new skills that may be useful to your business.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL 01603 481220
East Anglian Ambulance NHS Trust
Hospital Rd, Hellesdon, Norwich, Norfolk, NR6 5NA
(Quoting the ‘Attleborough’ scheme)