Wednesday 21st October 2015 – 4.15pm – 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 across Shropshire and Herefordshire for our next Community First Responders (CFRs) training courses. The next course in Shropshire is in January and interviews will be held on November 21st.
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 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 and trauma when every minute counts.
Shropshire’s 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’”.
Look out for the advertisement which will appear soon on the NHS Jobs website https://www.jobs.nhs.uk/ .
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