How We Work
When a 999 call is made within the area, an ambulance will be despatched to the scene. At the same time, Ambulance Control may contact the Community First Responder (CFR) who is on duty. Because we’re in a rural area, CFRs can often arrive first. Appropriate treatment will then be provided, including:
- Providing resuscitation and heart defibrillation
- Lifting a patient in the event of a fall
- Giving oxygen therapy
- Clearing and controlling the airway of an unconscious patient
- Controlling any bleeding
- Making them feel more comfortable and at ease
- Taking basic observations
- Reassuring the patient as well as worried family and friends and taking charge of the situation
- Using local knowledge to ensure that an ambulance can find the location quickly
- Passing on information on the patient’s condition and other vital information to ambulance control and the paramedics
Where We Work
Our core area is BN44 – Steyning, Bramber, Beeding, Wiston and Ashurst. However, our Community First Responders can be called to places as remote as Brighton or West Grinstead depending on availability of other personnel.