What do Community First Responders do?

Community First Responder (CFR) volunteers operate within the community they live or work and respond to incidents within a pre-defined geographical area such as a village or small town.

CFR’s are trained to a minimum level of basic life support in CPR and the use of an AED/Defibrillator. CFR’s respond to 999 calls that relate to cardiac arrest, chest pain, heart attack, choking, stroke or collapse in their local area. They carry a defibrillator and can provide emergency medical care for patients whilst waiting for the arrival of the ambulance. The early arrival of a CFR to a scene can be crucial and can mean the difference between life and death or result in a quality of life greater than might otherwise have occurred, in the event of a delay with the ambulance. CFRs also provide support and reassurance to patients and families when they are most vulnerable.