Volunteers who support the East of England Ambulance Service in their community are on the lookout for more people to join the team.
Anyone living in the Grays area but particularly Ockendon and Aveley would be very welcome, and this kind of volunteering would suit those who work in the area, students, people who work from home, or the retired.
First Responders are activated by the East of England Ambulance Service to attend emergency calls where time can make the difference between life and death.
Volunteers take it in turn to be ‘on call’ and carry basic first aid equipment and a simple-to-use automated external defibrillator (AED). The emergency operations centre sends them to the scene of category A (immediately life threatening) 999 calls. First Responders are dispatched at the same time as the ambulance crew, but often arrive beforehand because they are based so locally. The responder then provides care until the ambulance arrives, usually only a few minutes later.
Grays First Responders group co-ordinator Bill said: “Anyone living or working within these communities can get involved with the scheme; they can either be a First Responder, or they can help with other vital aspects of the scheme as fundraising, support or administration.
“It’s an incredibly rewarding experience and something which demonstrates great community spirit.”
