The Isle of Wight NHS Trust Ambulance Service and the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service (HIWFRS) have launched a Cardiac Arrest Responder scheme to help save lives on the Isle of Wight.
The initiative is the latest collaboration between the two emergency services, and aims to improve survival rates from out-of-hospital cardiac arrests.
White: Thrilled this initiative can now go live
Victoria White, director of the Isle of Wight NHS Trust Ambulance Service, said,
“I am thrilled that this initiative is now in a position to go live.
“Our collaboration with the HIOW Fire and Rescue Service will build on the platform we already have using our ambulance volunteer community first responders.”
The two services will work together to respond to community cardiac arrests, ensuring a timely, qualified and equipped response is made.
Cattell: Continuing to build resilience
Darren Cattell, chief executive of the Isle of Wight NHS Trust Ambulance Service, said,
“This is latest example of the strong partnership we have with our emergency services on the Island.
“By working together we are continuing to build resilience and provide the very best emergency care to our Island community.”
Adamson: If we are in a position to help save a life, it’s right that we should respond if we can
Stew Adamson, assistant chief officer of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service, added,
“Our firefighters are trained and equipped to provide some medical care at incidents and all of our fire engines carry defibrillators, oxygen, and other lifesaving equipment.
“We work closely with our ambulance service colleagues and have already been helping in this way in Hampshire. If we are in a position to help save a life, it’s right that we should respond if we can.”
Ryde Green Watch Firefighters and Shanklin Retained Firefighters
The initiative will launch at two of the Island’s responding stations, Ryde Green Watch Firefighters and Shanklin Retained Firefighters.
The team of volunteers at the two supporting stations are all Immediate Emergency Care (IEC) qualified and competent to carry out lifesaving first aid skills until the arrival of an ambulance crew.
