I have decided to run the Chester Half Marathon to raise funds for such a valuable community service. I have been a first responder for a year now, arriving on scene and seeing the relief on family members faces that you are there in their hour of need is so rewarding, just holding someones hand can make all the difference. Being a first responder not only gives you the chance to really do something for your community, it gives you the chance to make a huge difference to someone needing vital help.
Community First Responders (CFR) are teams of volunteers who live and work in local communities, trained by the Welsh Ambulance Service in basic life support, CPR and emergency first aid. CFR's respond to 999 calls as directed by Ambulance Controls, particularly when they can reach a patient ahead of the ambulance crew and provide initial (potentially life saving) care and support until the ambulance crew arrive.
The CFR schemes have been running successfully in various parts of the country for a number of years, it has proven to be a valuable (and lifesaving) service to the communities. Wrexham and Flintshire teams have been inplace since December 2011.
All kits are self-funded by the teams that they will be used in. Each kit consists of a response bag, defibrillator and uniform. The cost of one response bag and defibrillator alone costs approximately £1,119. The cost of a uniform is sometimes covered by the responders themselves, however this costs approximately £200 per person.