News
In recognition of their commitment and dedicated work, all First Responders with at least 5 years service have been awarded the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal. So congratulations to the 15 CFRs in the local team who got medals.
Background
The local Community First Responders (CFR) team was set up in 2005 to help people in the valley in the event of them having heart or breathing problems. First Responders are trained to help the patient in those vital minutes before a paramedic or ambulance crew can arrive. Currently there are 18 members, who live strategically throughout the Lorton, Loweswater and Buttermere areas. The Vale of Lorton team is one of 134 teams within the area covered by the North West Ambulance Service (NWAS), who provide support and back-up. Team members are paged by NWAS to attend call-outs at any time. All call-outs are supportive and confidential.
All members are assessed and re-assessed annually in the use of oxygen, cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibillators (AEDs). More often, call-outs offer comfort and support to patients and their families at a difficult time. The equipment used to be kept in boxes strategically place throughout the area, but, in order to speed up response time to call-outs, these are now keep in the Responders’ homes. During the period since the local team has been formed, at least one member, more commonly three, have attended every call-out and their skills and presence have helped many people in need, both residents and visitors alike.
List of Officers
Team Leader – Leslie Webb
Secretary – Carol Priestley
Treasurer – Sandra Meier
Trainers – Ann Lawler and Rev. Margaret Jenkinson
Training Secretary – Hilary Hankin
Funding
While some assistance with equipment is made by the NWAS, more of our needs are supplied by our own fund raising. In this context, the people living in the Valley have been extremely generous as have the membership, who fund their own part in the Team both by giving considerable time and also their own expenses. While this generosity has enabled us to equip and train to a high level, continued financial support is essential.
Recruitment
The Team is always looking to expand its membership and are particularly keen to have younger members joining the enthusiastic team who work together to support the people living and using the Valley. Anyone interested in joining the Team should contact Leslie Webb, on 01900 85609 or email here.
A broader overview of the C.F.R activities in the N.W. of England can be found at the NWAS CFR website here and you can see a little more about the techniques that CFRs use at the Cockermouth First Responders website here.
Two important bits of information for everyone:
- quick diagnosis when someone has a stroke is very important, so do read this poster about the FAST technique for stroke recognition
- helping yourself to survive a heart attack, see PowerPoint presentation here.
