Lifesavers charity FastAid is a Community First Responder (CFR) group covering all Solihull borough and Birmingham wards. Established in 2005, we provide an extra resource to the Ambulance Service, with a local dimension. All CFRs are volunteers, trained to a nationally recognised standard and despatched to 999 emergency calls by West Midlands Ambulance Service, when they are the closest resource, along with an ambulance as soon as one is available. Being ‘local’, our CFRs are often first on scene and can quickly start lifesaving treatment, begin clinical care and provide reassurance to patients and relatives before an ambulance arrives. In life threatening emergencies, the time saved can be critical. Annually our CFRs attend more than two thousand emergency 999 calls and are first on scene in over 90% of those!
Do you think you could give life-support, initial care & reassurance as the first person on scene until the arrival of an ambulance?
Community Responders are volunteers who give their time to respond to lifesaving emergency calls on behalf of the ambulance service and provide first aid until the arrival of an NHS resource.
The role is highly rewarding and offers opportunities to meet new people and learn valuable lifesaving skills through the free training provided by WMAS.
If you live in Solihull, Birmingham or surrounding areas, FastAid would love to hear from you.
You must have a full UK driving licence with no more than 3 points. A caring, empathetic nature, be calm, reassuring & able to take control of a situation.
Applicants should also have good communication skills and a willingness to learn and help others.
We ask that you commit to 20 hours on call each month, plus supporting fundraising, attending training and group meetings through the year.
Applications to become a CFR are via the NHS jobs page.
“FastAid is a group of incredibly dedicated volunteers who give their time freely to serve the communities where they live and work. They are there for everyone, often at a time of greatest need. They do make a real difference and they do save lives. What better gift can there be but the gift of life? FastAid is the only CFR group based in Solihull & Birmingham which is supported by West Midlands Ambulance Service because they excel in the support they give us."
- Andy Jeynes,
Community Response Manager,
West Midlands Ambulance Service
