Would you like to train as a First Responder?
Have you got what it takes?

You can make a valuable contribution to your local community, as well as gaining an extremely useful set of personal skills, by becoming a member of our First Responders Team, and the more Responders we have, the better the cover we can provide for your community.

Before you can become a Responder
you have to attend a training course run by the Ambulance Service

If you are interested in becoming a First Responder
or for further information
please contact
Tim, our Co-ordinator ~ telephone 07545 501895
or email coordinator@waterhousesfirstresponders.org

• Do I need to have any prior medical/first aid knowledge or training? No, none whatsoever. Training is done by West Midlands Ambulance Service paramedics who have specialised in training.
• What level would I be trained to? All Staffordshire First Responders are trained to a intermediate or advanced level.
• What does the training involve? The new training schedule runs over a number of consecutive weekends. This replaces the previous six months, one night a week course, and means that you would be qualified to respond over a much shorter timescale. After you qualify you then have to do a number of shifts as an observer with an ambulance crew, plus an shift in Ambulance Control.
• Are there any exams? There is a (multiple choice) test at the mid-point and at the end of the course. There is also an assessment of the practical skills you have learned.
• How much does it cost? The training is provided free by the Ambulance Service: you will just need a couple of textbooks (which you can probably borrow from somebody in the group). Once qualified, your uniform will be provided by the First Responder Group.
• Is there an age limit? Responders have to be over the age of 18, and over 25 to drive the response vehicle. Currently our oldest Responder is 66. You do of course have to be reasonably fit.
• What would my duties be? Responders usually go 'on-call' in pairs. You can volunteer to do as many shifts as you are able. The only thing we ask is that you commit to a minimum of 15 hours per calendar month. The co-ordinator draws up a duty rota depending on volunteer's availability. When on call you need to be ready to go out at a moment's notice.
• Do I have to live in Waterhouses? NO, you can live in the surrounding area. However you will be expected use the HUB ( waterhouses community bungalow) as our base.