First aiders now help with 999 calls in Uckfield area

People in the Uckfield area with first aid training are now attending 999 calls to offer help while ambulances make their way to the scene.

The ‘community first responders’ arrive quickly because of living locally and can begin life-saving first aid immediately.

Uckfield man Steve McIntosh already works for the South East Coast Ambulance Service but has also volunteered as a community first responder.

He has been called out several times, often to cardiac arrests, where early attention is vital to patients.

Volunteers are trained and work in association with the South East Coast Ambulance Service but the scheme is independent and members have to raise money for equipment.

Steve said: “At the moment we have got three people in Isfield, one to start soon in Nutley, one in Framfield and another two about to start in Uckfield.”

Each community first responder carries a first aid response bag and a defibrillator which costs about £2,000. /images/2010_december/first_responders2.jpg

The aim of the volunteers is to preserve life, prevent deterioration, promote recovery in the most series medical emergencies and enable each patient to have the best possible chance of surviving.

There are some emergencies the first responders will not be called on to attend. They include, for safety reasons, assaults and road accidents.

If you would like to help the community first responders by training to be one or by fund-raising, helping with administration or making a donation please contact Derek Smith on 01825 750519 or at contact@fieldfirstresponders.org.uk.

Learn more by visiting the first responders website at www.fieldfirstresponders.org.uk.