Community First Responders (CFRs) are volunteers who provide early lifesaving emergency aid ahead of ambulance arrival.

Volunteer Community First Responders can be on-call at any time, day or night, to help reach those patients most in need across the 10,000 square miles served by the South Western Ambulance Service.

Attending over 20,000 incidents each year, their contribution really does save lives, reduce pain and provide reassurance to those requiring emergency care.

CFRs are trained and governed by the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust and provided with essential kit, but we can help them by providing them with more.

How can we help Community First Responders?

Donations enable Community First Responders (CFRs) to purchase enhanced equipment or to fund additional training, enabling them to extend the support they can give to communities.

Donations also help to purchase and support dedicated CFR Cars which extend the capacity of our volunteers to help patients, as well as raising the profile of volunteer CFRs so aiding recruitment and supporting training activities.

Some examples of enhanced equipment include (prices may vary):

£35 buys a Tympanic Thermometer. As part of the critical initial observations, this can be used as an early warning sign for underlying medical conditions such as sepsis or meningitis.

£50 buys an automatic blood pressure monitor and cuffs. As part of the critical initial observations, this is more resilient and robust compared to manual monitoring. Recordings can be scheduled to ensure regular monitoring.

£350 buys a pulse oximeter. As part of the critical initial observations, this measures oxygen levels in the blood as well as pulse. Monitoring is continuous to ensure that any changes in pulse or oxygen levels are highlighted immediately for appropriate action.

£3500 buys a Raizer Lifting Chair to help patients who have had a fall and are may need assistance to get up from the floor. Often these are elderly and vulnerable people who are not injured but are unable to get back up.

All donations, large or small, help to make a real difference to our volunteers, staff, communities and patients.

Thank you.