Appeal for volunteer lifesavers in Shropshire

Thursday 12^th March 2015 – 9.30am – Chris Kowalik.

Would you like to join West Midlands Ambulance Service’s growing band of volunteer lifesavers?

We’re looking for keen and willing potential recruits in Shropshire for our next Community First Responders (CFRs) training course.

Volunteers are particularly needed in and around Bridgnorth, Cleobury Mortimer, Albrighton, Wem, Much Wenlock, Minsterley, Pontesbury, Church Stretton, Craven Arms, Clun Valley, Ludlow, Bishops Castle, Oswestry, St. Martins Ellesmere, Whitchurch, Market Drayton, Newport, Shifnal, Cosford and Broseley.

Interviews will take place in Shrewsbury on Sunday 12^th April. Successful applicants will undergo a training course spanning four weekends over an eight week period. The course will run over the weekends of April 25^th and 26^th, May 9^th and 10, May 23^rd and 24^th and June 6^th and 7^th.

CFRs are everyday members of the public who are trained in a number of assessments and basic lifesaving techniques including the use of a defibrillator, a device used to restart the heart of someone who has suffered a cardiac arrest. Their availability, close proximity and local knowledge of their area are among their many assets.

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.

Community Response Manager Cliff Medlicott said: “Volunteers come from all walks of life. When they make themselves available to respond they can continue to go about their daily lives, but if an emergency call is received by the ambulance service within a five or six mile radius, they are sent and always backed-up by an emergency ambulance service vehicle.

“To volunteer, you must be aged 18 or over, have a full driving licence and lots of enthusiasm.

“Help will be provided in obtaining the necessary equipment and no previous experience is necessary as West Midlands Ambulance Service will provide the training.

“Successful 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’”.

For more information about the work of Community First Responders or to become one yourself, contact West Midlands Ambulance Service Community Response Manager Terry Foster on 07827 311909 or terence.foster@wmas.nhs.uk , or the CFR Admin office on 01384 215 855 or CFRAdmin@wmas.nhs.uk

Ends