Community first responders
There are now more than 3,300 Community First Responders (CFRs) working in shifts night and day across the six counties we cover.
Each responder scheme consists of a team of volunteers who have been
trained to attend 
emergency
calls received by the ambulance service, providing potentially
life-saving treatment often before an emergency ambulance arrives.
They are trained in basic life support, oxygen therapy and the use
of a defibrillator, a device which gives an electric shock to patients
in cardiac arrest to jolt the heart back into a normal rhythm.
One of the principle aims of the schemes is to improve the number of
patients surviving cardiac arrests and other life-threatening
conditions such as choking and respiratory arrest.
Research has proved that the sooner a patient in cardiac arrest receives treatment with a defibrillator the greater their chance of survival. CFRs are alerted by ambulance control to certain types of emergency calls where time can make the difference between life and death.
Taking it in turns to be ‘on call’, responders provide care until the ambulance arrives, usually only a few minutes later.
Very often the role they play is one of reassurance. In instances
where someone has chest 
pains, simply
giving them oxygen can make a big difference. In extreme cases they can
perform CPR (cardio-pulmonary resuscitation) or use the defibrillator
to restart someone’s heart. The scheme can be incredibly rewarding as
you could well end up saving someone’s life. Many villages where
schemes exist show great community spirit knowing that there are people
there who could be lifesavers.
CFRs are there to improve the time to defibrillation and do not replace
an ambulance. Through combined effort, with responders providing rapid
early care and ambulance crews continuing care and transferring to
hospital, the casualty has the best possible chance of surviving a
cardiac arrest.
The contribution made by these selfless volunteers is greatly valued by
the Trust, and there are many examples of people having had their life
saved by a CFR. As always, we are looking to expand the number of
people in each group and also the number of schemes.
When looking at locations for new schemes, the ambulance service will
consider the following criteria:
- Towns or villages where it is challenging for an emergency ambulance to arrive at scene within 8 minutes - this is usually in the more rural areas.
- The total number of calls received within these locations must be
significant enough for training to take place, ensuring motivation of
the group members and their contribution would have a valued,
significant effect on patients.
The ambulance service will liaise with the responder group using their local knowledge to decide on what area can be responded to in less than 8 minutes.
Get involved
Anyone who lives or works in the East of England can get involved with
CFR schemes, whether it’s to be a responder, or to help with ot
her vital
tasks such as fund-raising, support or administration. Left is the Long
Stratton group in south Norfolk, pictued at the council offices.
Volunteers do not need previous first aid experience to join their local group, as full training will be provided.
If you would like to set up a CFR scheme in your community, or join an existing scheme, email us at
responderadmin@eastamb.nhs.uk
