Heathfield & Waldron First Responders
Health
Help us with the ongoing costs of the Community First Responder team and install Public Access Defibrillators in areas that may need them.
About this cause
Responders are volunteer members of the community, trained by the Ambulance Service to respond to emergency calls through the 999 system, in conjunction with the Ambulance Service. Responders provide immediate care to patients in their area and are mobilised by Ambulance Control. Responders are a part of, and live in, their local community. They serve an area of approximately 3 mile radius of their base, which could be their home or place of work. They can therefore attend the scene of a medical emergency quickly, often arriving within a few minutes of the call and sometimes whilst the caller is still on the phone. They are trained to provide Emergency Life Support and to treat patients suffering from a range of conditions. They also offer public demonstrations of CPR.
How this cause brings people in the community together
Responders are often on the scene of 999 emergency calls ahead of the ambulance. Early intervention is vital in stabilising a patient's condition to save a life. Over 400 incidents are attended annually. Not only does the immediate 'patient' benefit but others are also supported: relatives, friends, and bystanders. The wider community receives demonstrations of cardio-pulmonary resuscitation.