Melton Mowbray Neighbourhood First Responders

The aim of the Neighbourhood First Responders is to respond to any life-threatening medical emergency and deliver the appropriate care until the ambulance arrives.


Why are they needed?
Dr Richard Cummins, from Seattle, USA, discovered that if a series of events took place in a set sequence, a heart attack victim has a greater chance of survival. These events are known as the 'Chain of Survival':
  • Early Access
  • Early Resuscitation
  • Early Defibrillation
  • Early Advanced Life Support

When put into practice by increasing public awareness, training in Basic Life Support (BLS) and community based defibrillators, these events have improved the pre-hospital survival rate between 25% and 30%.

St John Ambulance and EMAS believe that by introducing a scheme where First Responders are trained in providing the first three events in this chain, there would be a significant improvement in the chance of survival.

What type of incidents do First Responders attend?
The First Responders are contacted by EMAS control and asked to attend emergencies in their area. The type of emergencies include unconsciousness, chest pain, stroke or breathing difficulties and can be in the home, in the street or in the work-place. An emergency ambulance is always dispatched to any incident attended by a First Responder.

First Responders are not be expected to attend emergencies involving children or those considered unsafe (road traffic accidents) or situations that are known to be violent.

Who are the First Responders?
First Responders are all unpaid volunteers that live in the Melton Mowbray area. In addition to providing emergency assistance, the group also has to organise it’s own
  • On-call rota
  • Fund Raising
  • Admini

All members of the group have received first class training from St. John Ambulance before being permitted to attend incidents. Those with less experience have also served a probation period, attending calls with a more experienced member. All qualifications must be refreshed on a regular basis and, should a member’s certificate lapse, then they are withdrawn from the rota until the certificate has been re-taken. In addition to first aid training, all members have been checked by the Criminal Record Bureau so that the public can be assured that all members of the group are responsible citizens.
Funding
All equipment used by the group has been purchased using donations from the local community. We currently have two kits operating, normally one in the south and one in the north of the town. Each kit contains a defibrillator, resuscitation equipment, oxygen and general first aid materials. Whilst consumables are replaced by the ambulance service, the group still requires funding so that other ongoing costs can be met.
How can you help?
You can help the Melton Neighbourhood First Responders by making a donation. You can be assured that every penny will support  the Melton Mowbray NFR group. Donations should be sent to

Melton NFR,
10 Wycliffe Ave.,
Melton Mowbray,
Leics.
LE13 1UB.
Please make cheques payable to St John Ambulance.

Joining the Melton NFR group

If you are 18 years old or over, physically fit and be able to demonstrate a satisfactory standard of proficiency after training. You should have a sympathetic, caring approach to people and have the ability to work as part of a team, be honest, trustworthy and reliable.

Further information

If you would like further information about the First Responder scheme please contact:

mailto:[email protected]

or by post
Melton NFR,
10 Wycliffe Ave Melton MowbrayLeics LE13 1UB.