Shropshire's Community First Responders celebrate 10th birthday

It was on this date in 2001 that four Community First Responders (CFRs) in Newport first booked themselves available with the ambulance service to respond to 999 medical emergencies.

Community First Responders are everyday members of the public, trained by West Midlands Ambulance Service in lifesaving techniques. They can respond to medical emergencies while an ambulance resource is en-route.

There are now eight CFRs covering Newport and surrounding areas including Edgemond, Tibberton, Hinstock and Lilleshall Sports Centre. Co-ordinator Russell Brooks, 39, a heating energy consultant, has been with the scheme throughout.

He said: “Three of us were volunteers for St. John Ambulance and the fourth had a background with another ambulance service when a piece appeared in the newspapers appealing for Community First Responders.

“We were trained by the then Shropshire Ambulance Service but in those days, everything was more basic than it is now. Ten years ago we had one mobile phone between us, one kit bag between us consisting of a defibrillator, oxygen and some first aid items. Today, we carry more equipment with us and the defibrillator is more advanced as is the training we now receive.

“In February 2008, through fundraising, we got a van with which to respond. We were later given an Airwave digital radio by West Midlands Ambulance Service which now means we can communicate directly with the control room and they can send us emergencies via the radio quickly. It’s perfect.

“Highlights of our ten years include the successful resuscitation of a man who collapsed having suffered a cardiac arrest while playing football at Lilleshall sports centre. CFRs Terry and Julie Talbot were there first and he is still alive today. His grateful sister in Leicestershire raised money for another defibrillator.

“Julie also found herself coming to the rescue of a woman who collapsed at Penkridge market where she herself was shopping. Although not on duty, Julie luckily had her response bag in her car at the time and was able to help.

“Right from the start, we have been at the forefront of people’s minds and they have been generous in their donations and fundraising for us. We have been the Mayor’s charity for three of the last ten years. We have had great support from Newport Lions and Newport Rotary Club and the landlord of The Pheasant pub. We are also very grateful to all those individuals who have supported us during that time. All money raised in Newport stays in Newport, going only to this CFR scheme.

“But our work goes on and next, we would like to get a 4x4 vehicle; something that can deal with the snow and ice, but also, being in a rural area, we have to get to walkers in remote spots in the countryside and to sporting injuries on muddy fields. We would appeal for help in raising funds to buy one ourselves, alternatively we would appeal to any individual or business that may be able to donate a suitable vehicle.”

Summing up his ten years as a CFR and the decade anniversary of the scheme, Russell said: “It’s about putting something back into the community. There are a lot of people who sit back and don’t do anything. There are hundreds of people who have benefitted from this responder scheme. Certainly, there will be those who wouldn’t be alive if the responder scheme were not here.”

If you would like to donate to the Newport Community First Responder scheme, visit Barclays Bank in High Street, Newport, or contact:

If you would like to become a Community First Responder, contact Cliff Medlicott, Community Response Manager on 07884 050877, or the CFR Admin office on 01743 273677 or CFRAdmin@wmas.nhs.uk