An established scheme that sees fire fighters receive first aid training to use during emergencies is expanding. The Co-Responder partnership between the Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service and the Island’s Ambulance Services is to be extended to Ventnor and its surrounding area communities.
The launch of the new Co-Responder service will take place on Saturday 29 March at 1100 at Ventnor Fire Station.
Co-Responders are fire personnel who have been given additional training by the Ambulance Service in order for them to attend certain 999 medical emergency calls in their local area.
When people fall ill, they often need immediate medical attention and in more serious cases early treatment can be the difference between life and death. This, together with the knowledge that the complex geography of the Island often challenges the Ambulance Service to meet their eight minute response time for life threatening calls, has led to the development of the scheme.
Ventnor Fire Station is now included and so far nine fire-fighters have been trained in patient assessment, extended first aid, oxygen therapy and in the management of medical emergencies. Much of the training has also concentrated on the use of automatic defibrillators, which are used to try and restart the heart after a cardiac arrest.
With the latest evidence showing these machines are most effective if used within the first 5 minutes after the patient has collapsed, it is clear that the Co-Responders will play a significant part in improving survival rates for patients suffering a cardiac arrest.
Isle of Wight Council’s Cabinet member for Safer Communities Diana Tuson said “I am keen to extend this service to other parts of the Island as it has proved to be a success in the West Wight area. Fire-fighters are dedicated to protecting and serving their communities. Traditionally, this has mainly been about fire fighting and rescue, but the range of activities now undertaken by our Service has expanded hugely over the years. Reacting to medical emergencies as Co-Responders alongside our professional colleagues from the Isle of Wight Ambulance Service, increases the chance of patient survival and recovery. This can be the difference between life and death”.
David Arnold, Director of Operations for the Isle of Wight Ambulance Service said “We are delighted to be joining with the Fire Service, in what will undoubtedly be a life-saving initiative. Having Co-Responders available in the local area will mean that they are very likely to arrive before the ambulance and therefore start the life-saving process early. As an ambulance is always sent at the same time, it is clear that Co-Responders will be an enhancement of the service we provide, ensuring that those patients most in need receive the prompt and efficient treatment they need”.
