Community First Responders are trained by the Scottish Ambulance Service in a wide range of emergency skills and the use of specialised equipment, such as automatic external defibrillators and oxygen therapy. They are able to provide an early intervention in situations such as a heart or asthma attack, before the professional ambulance crew arrives. This improves patients’ chances of survival and recovery.
A Responder will only be called out to deal with situations in which they have been trained and only after an ambulance has been despatched and where the Responder will be able to reach the scene before the estimated time of arrival of the ambulance. Responders will not be called to trauma incidents or any situation or place that may put them in personal danger.
Initial training includes a 2 hour Heart Start Course locally, followed by a 2 day weekend training course in Penicuik. Short meetings are held locally monthly, followed by practical training in the use of the various techniques and equipment in order to maintain their high level of expertise.
Responders must be aged 18 or over, have a full driving licence and use of a vehicle. However if you do not meet these requirements, or do not wish to become a Trained Responder, you can still become a group member as office bearers or take on roles such as admin support, fundraising, and communications as the Groups are fully constituted voluntary organisations that must be self sustaining and funded.
Peebles and Innerleithen & Walkerburn Groups started operation 1st December 2012, Whilst numbers are growing we would welcome more volunteers to train as Responders to increase the hours covered by both groups.
Both groups meet together for the monthly training meetings and currently assist each other in this initial phase of inception.
Donations can be made by contacting the Groups directly.
More information and how to volunteer can be found at :
Contact Details :
Please mention that you found us through the Peebles Info website.
Tel : 07927 440603
Web : www.scottishambulance.com/YourCommunity/responders.aspx
Email : iwcfresponder@gmail.com
