Thursday 16th May 2013 – 8.55am – Chris Kowalik.
An appeal has been launched for Community First Responders (CFRs) in and around the north Worcestershire town of Bewdley.
CFRs are everyday members of the public who are trained in lifesaving techniques including the use of a defibrillator, a device used to restart the heart of someone who has suffered a cardiac arrest.
CFRs will be called by the ambulance service’s control room to medical emergencies in their area while an ambulance is en-route. They are vital in life-threatening situations, particularly in the case of a cardiac arrest, stroke and trauma when every minute counts.
Bewdley is within the catchment area of Kidderminster & District Community First Responders, part of Herefordshire and Worcestershire Community First Responder Scheme; a registered charity (number 1124035).
Anyone wanting to become a CFR must be aged 18 or over, have a full driving licence and will be subject to a Criminal Records Bureau check.
Applicants will attend a nationally recognised training course; covering Basic Life Support and Defibrillation, Medical Emergencies, Traumatic Emergencies and Preparing for Active Duty. They will then train alongside ambulance crews before going ‘live’.
If you would like to become a Community First Responder, contact Phil Bowden (Co-ordinator of Kidderminster & District Community First responders) on 07980 871165 or phil@washhousedirect.co.uk, West Midlands Ambulance Service Community Response Manager Noel Orbell on 07980 094808, or the CFR Admin office on 01384 215855 or CFRAdmin@wmas.nhs.uk .
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