A SHORTAGE of community first responders in the west of the Island has led to a recruitment campaign.
Last month the Department of Health’s Ambulance Service had the opportunity to recruit volunteers for the community first responder scheme while it was assisting the Department of Social Care in promoting Mental Health Awareness Week.
Now the ambulance team will be visiting various locations around the west of the Island to help promote other health awareness campaigns and will use this opportunity to further promote the community first responder initiative and recruit new volunteers.
Community first responders are trained to attend specific medical emergencies while an ambulance is en-route.
Once on scene they are able to provide potentially life-saving treatment for those who need it, but most of the time a friendly face, company and a little care is all that is needed while waiting for an ambulance.
Community first responders are able to communicate with the attending ambulance personnel through the Emergency Services Joint Control Room - who handle 999 calls - so that the attending crew can prepare for, and know what to expect, on arrival.
Recruitment will focus on the west of the Island where there is now a shortage of volunteers, with three community responders from Peel recently having gone on to join the Ambulance Service bank staff.
This leaves Peel with only one community first responder at present.
Training takes place over two weekends at St John Ambulance headquarters in Douglas.
Volunteers are then trained to deal with medical emergencies, including the administration of oxygen and the use of a defibrillator. All equipment including communications equipment is provided.
The Ambulance Service will be in attendance at two events around the Island this month, with the mobile treatment/health promotion vehicle in attendance from which staff will be able to provide the public with information on becoming a community first responder.
On Wednesday (September 15) it will be at St John’s Mill between 11am and 4pm with the combined role of assisting with the promotion the Island’s breast screening service.
On Saturday, September 25 it will be at a "know your blood pressure" service at Shoprite car park Peel, in partnership with the Manx Stroke Foundation.
These events offer an opportunity to recruit volunteers who would like a new challenge and want to help their local community by becoming a community first responder.
Health Minister David Anderson MHK said: "It's always heartening to see in action the community spirit that is so prevalent on our Island, and witness the generosity of individuals who support campaigns like this one and volunteer their valuable time.
"The recruitment of volunteers is essential to the Island’s health service and our community - their help, assistance and co-operation, enables us to provide the very highest standards of care for the people of the Isle of Man."
Chief ambulance officer Steve Sieling said: "These schemes have a real value in rural areas like the Isle of Man where there are individual, often small, communities dotted around the Island.
"Community first responders are an important part of the team providing support to patients while an ambulance is on its way.
"In terms of time commitment, it's whatever time volunteers can spare, although ideally like the South of the Island we would love 24/7 cover, but there is no fixed time period, so it easily fits in around other commitments.
"Each area has a co-ordinator who manages the rotas."
There are schemes operating in Peel, Ramsey, Laxey, the south of the Island and Kirk Michael.
More volunteers are always welcome. For an application form or further information contact peter.smith@gov.im or ring Ambulance HQ on 642582 and leave a message including contact details.
