Audlem First Responders

This article was sponsored by Ralph Warburton, who having had a previous heart attack is keen to promote the volunteer work of our local First Responders

Audlem First Responders

You will, no doubt, have seen the Response Vehicle out and about in Audlem and surrounding area but you may know little about the work of Audlem First Responders.

The group was set up some fifteen years ago in response to local concerns about ambulance response times in rural areas. It was felt that our community would benefit from a locally based resource which could be on scene in advance of an ambulance response.

Audlem First Responders provide support to the North West Ambulance Service by attending serious and life threatening 999 calls (categories 1&2) in and around our community to provide the earliest possible intervention for patients in the first few minutes until the arrival of an Ambulance. Each team member is trained to deal with a wide range of potentially life threatening conditions alongside members who have been trained with enhanced skills

When a member of the public calls for an ambulance with an emergency 999 call, the Emergency Control Centre will mobilise a member of team to attend. An emergency ambulance is always dispatched to follow. The number and type of calls received each week follow no particular pattern or predictability.

During Covid lockdown, members of the team took turns to support North West Air Ambulance in providing critical care transfers between hospitals for poorly covid patients.

What may surprise some people is that this group of responders are volunteers who give of their time freely outside of their own jobs, to help care for people in Audlem and surrounding villages.

The latest response vehicle was financed entirely by National Lottery Funding in recognition of the invaluable work they carry out in the village and of the work done by the team during Covid lockdown.

The group rely entirely upon the kindness of local parish councils, the Santa fund and the generosity of individuals who provide financial donations. This funding helps to run, insure and maintain the response vehicle alongside the purchase of additional kit when needed.

Let's hope that you won't need their services soon but, if you do, be reassured."

For the First Responders website click here