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BRIGHTLINGSEA FIRST RESPONDERS

Brightlingsea First Responders are volunteers from the community who are trained by the East of England Ambulance Service in basic life support including oxygen therapy and the use of a defibrillator.  We provide the ambulance service with an immediate local response in cases where minutes can save lives – people with chest pains, breathing difficulties, choking or unconsciousness.  In these instances the Emergency Operations Centre calls us (on a dedicated mobile phone) at the same time as they are despatching their emergency vehicle(s).  Coupled with cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) we can use our defibrillator to restart someone’s heart.  Once the ambulance crew arrives the First Responder hands the patient over, although there are times when the crew asks us to continue our treatment jointly with them.

George Coppin and John Eaton, our joint co-ordinators, say, “We average a four-minute response time, including when we’re called in the middle of the night, and are currently attending around 3 incidents a week - we have now (October 2011) been on over 2,000 life-threatening calls since forming in May 1997.  Early attendance to a ‘chest pain’ call can prevent a patient’s condition worsening and so halt a full cardiac arrest.  So far seven arrests have been re-started, one as recently as September 2011.

The oxygen we carry provides a very effective, immediate benefit to patients.  We also feel that we are a source of comfort to patients and their loved ones during the naturally worrying time waiting for the professionals to arrive.”

Ours was the first group to be set up in the county, and in fact was one of the first in the country. 
Our call sign is the enviable “Zulu 1”.

The group currently has 12 members including two husband-and-wife teams, with other Responders operating solo, sometimes with ‘buddies’ going along to provide support.  We are all volunteers, using our own vehicles and paying for our fuel, and aim to provide a 24/7, 365 days a year service.  We have no dispensation to break speed limits or any other road traffic laws and we do not carry blue lights, flashing headlights or sirens.  It would therefore assist us greatly if other road users, on seeing a vehicle carrying its First Responder signs and appearing to be in a hurry, give us a bit of room and pull over if it is safe to do so.

We are very grateful for the support of local organisations and townsfolk whose donations have generously funded, amongst other things, the following:

• the latest model (March 2007) defibrillator, which includes a basic ECG monitor;

• a training defibrillator;

• an adult resuscitation manikin;

• an infant resuscitation manikin;

• a manikin for training to treat choking patients;

• bag and mask resuscitators (which links to our oxygen) for adults, children and infants;

• a pulse oxymeter to measure a patient’s pulse and oxygen saturation;

• car-roof and sun visor illuminated signs;

• retro-reflective magnetic signs for each member/couple;

• high-visibility clothing for each member;

• small items such as heat-retaining foil blankets, dressings, alcohol wipes, razors and scissors. 

To date the value of donated equipment has exceeded £6,000.

 

A GREAT HONOUR

We have been greatly honoured to have officially received Royal acknowledgement of our work in the community.

Along with members of West Mersea First Responder group (who were also one of the early groups in the county) we gathered at a ceremony in Colchester Town Hall in July 2008 to receive the Queen's Award for Voluntary Services from Essex Lord Lieutenant Lord Petre, who had been invited to present the award on behalf of the Queen.  Two members from each group were later invited to a garden party at Buckingham Palace.

The award recognises excellence in voluntary activities carried out in communities, and our groups were successful because we were able to demonstrate, among other criteria, that we have a proven track record of active involvement in the community and we meet a particular need.

The Queen's Award nomination was made by the ambulance service's Essex Community First Responder Manager John Hopkins because our two groups have shown "real dedication, enthusiasm and staying power".

OUR GROUP IN 2011

WE WOULD LOVE TO HAVE MORE VOLUNTEERS.

THERE ARE MANY BRIGHTLINGSEA TOWNSFOLK
WHO KNOW FROM EXPERIENCE
THAT YOU REALLY WOULD MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

 YOU WOULD BRING THE GIFT OF TIME.

 

TO FIND OUT MORE

CALL JOHN EATON ON 01206 304029

email john.eaton@btinternet.com

 

Link to the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust: www.eastamb.nhs.uk

To find First Responders, click on ‘Services’, then ‘Accident and Emergency’.  There is a link to Community First Responders near the bottom of the article.