The Upper Eden Community First Responders Team consists of a small group of volunteers from a wide range of backgrounds.The team operates under the auspices of the North West Ambulance Service (NWAS). Appropriate 999 calls are directed to the team by the ambulance service control room. As representatives of NWAS all First Responder team members are trained to a set level and are assessed once a year by NWAS. Team members are expected to offer a high standard of service to patients, always within their remit as non-professional volunteers. Patient confidentiality, accurate reporting and good patient care are paramount.

The team meets once a month for training, to update skills and to keep abreast of changes in protocols and treatment.

Each team member keeps a standard equipment bag and defibrillator and so can respond directly from home or their workplace.

The team typically responds to four or five incidents every week. The callout is sent as a text to every team member’s mobile phone and those nearest will respond, if they are available. A text is sent to other members of the team and to the NWAS control centre so that they are aware of each First Responder attending the incident.

The team works with other community groups, in particular with Kirkby Stephen Mountain Rescue Team, which is able to provide transport in difficult weather conditions and whose base is used for the team’s training meetings. Members of the team form the local Heartstart group, providing basic training in life support to members of the community.

If you would like to know more about becoming a First Responder please contact us.