The East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST) is urging people in Norfolk to consider signing up as a volunteer community first responsder (CFR) to help provide emergency care within the local community over the winter months.
The Trust says that their CFRs, who provide a rapid response to potentially life-threatening emergencies, can be particularly important over the winter as rural villages could become more isolated due to poor weather.
In Wisbech, CFR Peter Goodey has given up around 300 hours every month to EEAST and has been the only volunteer in the area responding to emergencies. Sadly, Peter was recently injured himself and has been unable to continue his duties.
“I was involved in a car crash and my injuries have meant that I struggle to get out of the house at the moment. We have all the lifesaving equipment here in Wisbech but no-one ready to help local patients,” said Peter.
Norfolk CFRs responded to more than 450 patients in October. Three quarters of these incidents involved casualties suffering from life-threatening conditions such as cardiac arrests.
Community Partnership Manager for EEAST, Andrew Barlow, said: “Our volunteers are taught invaluable skills and they do a terrific job. A local CFR with a defibrillator and basic life support training can give a person a greater chance of surviving a cardiac arrest.
“Anyone who has time to spare, however little they have, can become a CFR and start saving lives in their local community. All the training and equipment is provided by the ambulance service.”
To sign up as an EEAST CFR, click here or call 01954 712 400.