As a Community First Responder (CFR), you will need to successfully complete training with West Midlands Ambulance Service prior to becoming an active CFR in your local community. As a qualified and active CFR, you will volunteer abiding by the policies and procedures of West Midlands Ambulance Service. Active CFRs are expected to be available to respond to emergency 999 calls for a minimum of 20 hours per month. However, how and when you do this is entirely up to you as it is in your own time e.g. after work, at the weekend, evenings.

You will also be required to attend mandatory training annually and to keep a personal portfolio to include your responding hours and the skills you have used.

CFR Training:

CFRs are trained by the ambulance service and work is ongoing currently to further update this qualification to ensure CFRs receive the very best training to continue to provide excellent patient care.

The CFR training is a regulated course which covers both written and practical work covering anatomy, physiology, traumatic and medical emergencies, basic life support and defibrillation. This training is supported by West Midlands Ambulance Service with a mandatory update.

What we’re looking for:

Volunteers should be:

• Aged 18 +
• Have a current driving licence
• Be physically fit
• Be able to attend incidents whilst at home or work
• Have a caring nature and be willing to help raise the profile of the schemes in local areas
• Excellent communication skills
• Successful applicants will need to hold a clear Disclosure & Barring Services (DBS) at an enhanced level

To find out more about becoming a CFR you can read testimonials from our current CFRs Ash O’Malley and Martin Bennett.

We currently have more than 500 active CFRs in the West Midlands region.

Interested in volunteering?

Exciting volunteering opportunities have arisen within West Midlands Ambulance Service University NHS Foundation Trust for successful applicants to join the growing team of Community First Responders.

Vacancies are available across the region covered by West Midlands Ambulance Service and include Shropshire, Worcester, Herefordshire, Warwickshire, Coventry, Solihull, Birmingham, Black Country and Staffordshire. Training courses will be held at the National Academy in Brierley Hill on the dates listed below. The courses run for six days and no prior knowledge is needed, selection will be by interview. The will be on NHS jobs and applicants can apply between Monday 8^th January 2023 until midnight on Sunday 28^th January 2024.

As a volunteer you will be expected to complete a minimum of five hours a week responding to 999 calls on behalf of the Trust, rendering first aid until the arrival of an Ambulance. As a Community First Responder, you will also be expected to raise funds to support your Scheme. The role is highly rewarding and offers opportunities to meet new people and learn valuable lifesaving skills.

Applicants should have a good all-round education, a good level of fitness to perform the role of a CFR and a full UK driving license held for at least one year, with no more than 3 current penalty points. Applicants should also have good communication skills and a willingness to learn and help others. Interviews will take place during  February / March 2024 and applicants will need access to a computer & link to the internet as these will be on Microsoft TEAMS.

The dates of the available training courses are:

Would you like to learn more about the role? Head over to https://wmas.nhs.uk/interested-in-becoming-a-cfr/