First Responders Receive Life-Saving Equipment

Published on 22 December 2006

Life saving medical equipment purchased with money raised from her Chairman’s charity fund was presented by Councillor Ann Haigh to Epping Forest First Responders at the meeting of Epping Forest District Council on Tuesday 19 December 2006.

First Responders are St John’s Ambulance volunteers attached to the East of England Ambulance Service. The new equipment will help to extend their emergency cover for residents of Epping Forest District. Volunteers can be called out by the Ambulance Service at any time of the day or night to Category A emergencies. These include people suffering from chest pains, breathing problems, unconsciousness, diabetic emergencies and heart attacks.

Roger Salmon of First Responders, thanked Councillor Mrs Haigh for her support. He said: “The team of 19 currently achieves 24 hour coverage at certain times but with this extra equipment and more volunteers we aim to provide full cover 365 days a year. Councillor Haigh’s fundraising has already raised just over £3,000 which covers the cost of a full set of equipment, a defibrillator, oxygen equipment / airways and the bags to carry them in. If we can increase our team to around 25 or 30 people, we should be able to guarantee full 24/7 coverage.”

New recruits must be over 18 but don’t need a medical background. First Responders receive fours days of first aid training before becoming active members. The training usually takes place over two weekends and is followed by an assessment. They are then assessed again after 6 months and once a year thereafter. A basic level of fitness is necessary to carry heavy equipment such as defibrillators and oxygen as well as climbing staircases to reach patients. Volunteers are ‘Police checked’ and must hold a driving licence with access to a car.

Roger Salmon said: “We are looking for volunteers across the district. Once people are trained there are no rules on the minimum number of hours people can offer. We only ask that they are available when they say they are available. We have a very skilled rota manager, Peter Marchant who works miracles in producing the cover timetables.”

Anyone who would like to know more about becoming a First Responder can call Roger Salmon on 020 8502 2049.

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