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Can you help us?
At present there are only 6 of us on the team, and with our work and family commitments, it is not always possible for us to have someone available to respond. Each month we put together a rota, identifying which of us is on duty each day, taking account of our individual availabilities. Occasionally there are gaps in the rota when no one of us would be able to respond.
We are now trying to recruit more volunteers who would be interested in supporting the scheme, either as a responder or in an administrative role. To volunteer as a responder, no previous experience is required, although a first aid qualification would be beneficial. All necessary training is given in first aid, including the additional skills which are not normally given to first aiders, and this can usually be given over two weekends.
Volunteers must be between 18 and 70 years old, must be able to achieve a satisfactory standard of proficiency after training, have a full driving licence and access to a car, and a sympathetic caring approach to people. We are aware that the prospect of being the first responder to the scene of an incident could be daunting and would put some people off, especially to any new responder with little experience. In conjunction with the East of England Ambulance Service, the team does have procedures in place so that new volunteers will be accompanied to their first incidents with an experienced responder. Responders also have the advantage of knowing that an emergency ambulance with a paramedic is en route to the incident as well.
All community responders find that responding to incidents in the community is very rewarding, with the knowledge that our presence could literally be life saving to the people in our community.
For further information, please contact Andy Oxborrow on 01473 620432 or send me an e-mail.
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