Chance to join our community lifesavers

North East Ambulance Service is targeting more areas across the region to expand its army of volunteer community first responders in a bid to save more lives.

There are currently over 100 community first responders (CFRs) volunteering their time across the North East, supporting patients within their own communities whilst emergency ambulance crews are travelling.

Every year, CFRs offer around 29,000 hours of their own time to help their local communities by attending more than 1,400 incidents, providing vital life-saving support, or simply a reassuring face, in the minutes between a 999 call being made and the crew’s arrival.

Thanks to a £181,080 grant from NHS Charities Together, NEAS is recruiting more volunteers to support communities in most need, who are not currently covered by CFR schemes, increasing CFR numbers by putting in 24 new schemes.

Recruitment began in July last year and NEAS is now looking for volunteers in the following areas:

• Newbiggin/ Ashington
• Bishop Auckland South
• Ferryhill East, Durham
• Cornforth, County Durham
• Thorntree, Middlesbrough
• North Ormesby & Brambles, Middlesbrough
• Pallion North, Sunderland
• Lakeside & Farrington,
• Shotton & Haswell, Durham
• Hendon & Docks, Sunderland
• Southwick, Sunderland
• Redcar Lakes South

Recruitment of the new CFRs is now open and closes on 14 April 2023.

To find out more, go to http://bit.ly/3nCrIYh

Paul Brolly, first responder co-ordinator at NEAS, said: “The community first responder role is crucial in providing early interventions in the first minutes of an emergency. Living within the communities they serve, they can often be on scene almost immediately providing basic life-saving support and initial treatment.

“There are specific areas of the North East that are currently under-represented by CFRs and we are looking to increase our volunteers to match the areas that need support.

“We are extremely grateful for the support of our CFRs who really do help save lives.”

Emma Foody is a newly trained CFR. She said: “I was watching Ambulance on the TV, seeing the work of our incredibly emergency services. I thought I wish I could do something, play some small role in serving those who need it and the crews who work so tirelessly. I saw NEAS were advertising for CFRs and thought I could do that!

“It’s amazing to play a part in keeping the people in my community healthy and safe. I’ve learned new skills, enjoyed meeting new people and have been able to do something worthwhile. Glad I put the telly on that night!”

Emma Burrows is a CFR and also works in support services at NEAS. She said: “I’ve worked at NEAS since 2018 and when I heard about the CFR role, I was immediately interested. It wasn’t until 2022 there were any vacancies, so I applied straight away.

“Before working at NEAS, I worked in elderly care so have always had a passion for caring for people in need. I know how incredibly hard the operational crews work and at times of pressure they’re not able to get to patients as soon as they would like to. The CFR role is an opportunity to assist them in ensuring patients are reached as quickly as possible.

“It can be challenging but I feel very privileged to be in a position where I can help my local community and assist my operational colleagues.”