Community First Responders

CFR picture

Great Western Ambulance Service and St John Ambulance Wiltshire are working together to provide Community First Responder Groups in most areas of the county.

Community First Responders (CFRs) are volunteers trained to attend emergency calls received by the ambulance service and provide care until the ambulance arrives.

They respond to high priority calls in their local area and are dispatched at the same time as the emergency services.

The need

Research has shown that early treatment and care is crucial to the survival of those who fall ill suddenly. When someone’s heart stops they are 60% more likely to survive if they are defibrillated within three minutes of collapse. 

Despite the ambulance service being immediately dispatched once notified of someone taken ill, CFR s can often access the patient more quickly as they are already in the local area.

What Community First Responders do

  • Provide emergency care within their communities
  • Alerted by ambulance control at the same time as an NHS Ambulance, they can be at the patient’s side in minutes
  • They aim to stop the condition from becoming worse until further help arrives
  • Provide reassurance to friends and relatives
  • Use life-saving procedures if necessary
  • Work with the NHS Ambulance crew when they arrive and provide a successful handover.

Community First Responder Groups in Wiltshire

We have responder groups in the following areas:

  • All Cannings
  • Hilmarton
  • Market Lavington
  • Pewsey
  • Ramsbury
  • Swindon
  • Whiteparish
  • Wootton Bassett
  • Wroughton
  • Cricklade
  • Highworth
  • Melksham

You can find out more about our CFR scheme by contacting Leanne Lewis on 01380 738916.