Commit to being a lifesaver in your local community

Community First Responders (CFR) use life-saving skills such as the use of defibrillators to provide early and often vital intervention for patients suffering life-threatening emergencies in the immediate vicinity of where they live or work.

Terry Kane, Hampshire community liaison and training officer at SCAS, said: ‘Because each CFR lives or works in their patch, they can often reach a patient a few minutes earlier than an emergency ambulance.

‘They have the skills and equipment to immediately begin assessing and treating the patient before the paramedics arrive and those few minutes can make all the difference between life and death.’

Nic Morecroft, lead community response manager for SCAS, said: ‘Our Community First Responders make a vital difference in their communities and save lives every day. With the demand for emergency ambulances increasing every year, the role of the CFR has never been more important than it is today.

‘I am incredibly proud of the work our CFRs do and if this sounds like something you would like to be part of in your community, we would love to hear from you. I can’t think of a greater new year’s resolution for people in Hampshire to commit to than to become a lifesaver in 2016.’

SCAS was formed in 2006 following the merger of Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hampshire and Oxfordshire ambulance trusts.

CFRs should have their own cars which they can use for going to emergencies in their area.

They must also be over 18 and complete a DBS (criminal records) check.

No medical experience or training is required, as full training is provided, although the trust says a caring attitude and the ability to cope with potentially distressing situations is essential.

To apply for this role visit bitly.com/scasvolunteers.