New Community First Responder vehicle launched

The car, a second-hand Ford Mondeo saloon, was bought by the Bishops Castle and Clun Valley CFR scheme, paid for from its own funds raised through the kind and generous donations of the public.

To help it get going, Newington Service station in Craven Arms has sponsored it, covering the cost of its first £100 of fuel.

The car was formally launched in Bishops Castle on Friday 4th February and has now gone ‘live’; ready to respond to ‘999’ calls in the area.

The car is available for any of the CFR scheme’s volunteers to use. There are 9 volunteers, one of whom is co-ordinator Mary Pullen who can’t drive, but who has three driving ‘buddies’ who will have access to the vehicle.

Mary said: “The car will be parked in Bishops Castle. Any Community First Responder can use it as and when it is needed.”

Cliff Medlicott, West Midlands Ambulance Service’s Community Response Manager for Shropshire, said: “Getting this car is a great boost for the Bishops Castle and Clun Valley Community First Responders. It will help improve their ability to respond to patients who call 999.”

Community First Responders are everyday members of the public who have been trained by West Midlands Ambulance Service to a nationally recognised level and provide lifesaving treatment to people in their local communities. They provide vital aid quickly to those living in remote rural locations, prior to the arrival of full-time ambulance personnel.

West Midlands Ambulance Service has provided equipment for the car, including the responder medical kit and a digital Airwave radio, which is found in all West Midlands Ambulance Service vehicles. The radio will allow CFRs to have direct communication with the ambulance service’s Emergency Operations Centre (control room) and other ambulance crews. The radio will also track the location of the car it is in, so when a 999 call is received within its local area, a CFR can be sent quickly to the scene.