Emergency response

Long gone are the days when a traditional, two-crewed ambulance was the first, and only, resource sent to every 999 call.

Services realised that by placing faster, single-crewed response vehicles at strategic locations they could quickly get initial life-saving treatment to patients. An ambulance would then follow-up to take the patient to hospital.

With demand on the service ever-increasing, just as important is the first responder's ability to assess the patient's condition and, if they don't need hospital treatment, to divert the ambulance to a more serious call.

Motorcycles and, in some built up areas, bicycles are also used as well as an increasing number of air ambulances.

Research in the United States showed that many more cardiac arrest victims could be saved if more of the public had training in and access to defibrillators (a device which shocks the heart back into a normal rhythm).

The community first responder was born - groups of ordinary men and women trained in basic life support who typically arrive on scene within a few minutes because they live locally.

When you dial 999 these are the types of response you will receive:

Clinical adviser: If your call is minor and classified as Category C, you will be transferred to a clinical adviser, who will outline the options available to you other than an ambulance. If your condition is more serious than at first thought, an ambulance will be dispatched immediately.

Fast response vehicle: Crewed either by an emergency medical technician, paramedic or emergency care practitioner, they aim to get fast treatment to the patient.

Community first responder: If you are suffering from a cardiac arrest or some other life-threatening condition, you may be sent a member of the public trained in basic life support and the use of a defibrillator. An ambulance will also always be sent.  

Bicycle response: In Norwich city centre and King's Lynn our bicycle response units can arrive on scene within two or three minutes of most calls. A similar scheme is used at the V Festival in Chelmsford. Visit the King's Lynn cycle response unit website here.

Ambulance : Will always be sent to a patient who may need hospital treatment, but could be stood down if  your condition can be dealt with by a single responder.

Air ambulance: Rapid transport to specialist centres can sometimes mean the difference between life and death for some patients with head injuries or major trauma. Air ambulances can also reach hard-to-reach locations inaccessible to land vehicles.