http://www.mcga.gov.uk/c4mca/mcga07-home/newsandpublications/press-releases.htm?id=29B81AE60B7785E6&m=1&y=2010
Coastguard's up and down the Country are on standby to assist if the weather gets bad. At Swanage the mobile has just escorted the local SWAST responders to an incident in the town, roads are a little icy.
Showing posts with label First Responders. Show all posts
Showing posts with label First Responders. Show all posts
Tuesday, 5 January 2010
Wednesday, 23 December 2009
Working together
Despite the rain, elsewhere in Dorset it was chaos, I hear there were many car accidents , one closed the Upton bypass and the other the Puddletown bypass with 40 plus vehicles.
When I called the Coastguard Operations room in Weymouth this morning, they were tasking many Coastguard units after being asked for help by South Western Ambulance (SWAST).
With permission from the Watch Manager at Portland, I decided to deploy the Swanage Mobile with an Ambulance responder in the vehicle to provide the town with Ambulance cover whilst front line vehicles attended the incidents above.
Yet again it shows how the emergency services come together to assist the public if required.
When I called the Coastguard Operations room in Weymouth this morning, they were tasking many Coastguard units after being asked for help by South Western Ambulance (SWAST).
With permission from the Watch Manager at Portland, I decided to deploy the Swanage Mobile with an Ambulance responder in the vehicle to provide the town with Ambulance cover whilst front line vehicles attended the incidents above.
Yet again it shows how the emergency services come together to assist the public if required.
Friday, 23 October 2009
Responders
Many of you will know that the Coastguard team have been working hard towards becoming Responders for the Ambulance service as well as being Coastguards. There was a plan to support the Ambulance service, however agreement can not be agreed between the MCA and South Western Ambulance. (another blog one day).
Anyway having worked on the project for two and a half years we aren't seeing our hard work go out the window so yesterday was the official launch of the Swanage Responder Group. Hopefully there will be some official photographs soon but the purpose of this blog was "yes" you saw us in Green overalls on the sea front yesterday having our picture taken next to a shiny new Ambulance (sadly not ours!)
Watch out soon for some more information about the Responder group, there may be some opportunity to join
Anyway having worked on the project for two and a half years we aren't seeing our hard work go out the window so yesterday was the official launch of the Swanage Responder Group. Hopefully there will be some official photographs soon but the purpose of this blog was "yes" you saw us in Green overalls on the sea front yesterday having our picture taken next to a shiny new Ambulance (sadly not ours!)
Watch out soon for some more information about the Responder group, there may be some opportunity to join
Saturday, 18 July 2009
First Responders
If we go to plan the Swanage First Responder Scheme will start at 9.30 today.
At this stage the responder scheme is separate to the Swanage Coastguard Team as discussions between HM Coastguard and South Western Ambulance continue to enable the Coastguard team to become Co responders.
So to whats the difference between First and Co responders ?
First Responders - Wear the uniform of South Western Ambulance and are tasked by Ambulance Control direct.
Co Responders - In our case we would wear our Coastguard uniform and respond in the Coastguard vehicle and be tasked by Ambulance if available.
(Hope that's clear) Whilst it may be odd that we have to wear a different uniform, our Coastguard duties remain the priority, we have only taken this step to enable the community of Swanage to benefit from the equipment and training we have been given, HM Coastguard is still committed for the Swanage Team to become co responders as soon as the agreement is sorted.
It has taken two years to get to this point, the members of the team have worked hard to qualify twice!
So how does it work........?
As First Responders we will decide when we have time available to sign on with Ambulance Control, for example Friday and Saturday nights or when there is a large event going on in Swanage which creates extra visitors in the town. We sign in and then like being on call for the Coastguard wait for the text message to be sent from Ambulance Control. Having be tasked we then proceed to the incident and provide immediate first aid to the person until the Ambulance arrives.
Our Ambulance crews have a 50 mile round trip sometimes to either Poole or Dorchester Hospitals so often there is no Ambulance in the town, this is why we felt this scheme was important to the town and should start as soon as possible.
I'm sure you understand that Ambulance type incidents are very different to Coastguard incidents as we will be attending private addresses, so we will not be listing our incidents or creating an incident map. We will of course keep you posted on how the scheme goes.
At this stage the responder scheme is separate to the Swanage Coastguard Team as discussions between HM Coastguard and South Western Ambulance continue to enable the Coastguard team to become Co responders.
So to whats the difference between First and Co responders ?
First Responders - Wear the uniform of South Western Ambulance and are tasked by Ambulance Control direct.
Co Responders - In our case we would wear our Coastguard uniform and respond in the Coastguard vehicle and be tasked by Ambulance if available.
(Hope that's clear) Whilst it may be odd that we have to wear a different uniform, our Coastguard duties remain the priority, we have only taken this step to enable the community of Swanage to benefit from the equipment and training we have been given, HM Coastguard is still committed for the Swanage Team to become co responders as soon as the agreement is sorted.
It has taken two years to get to this point, the members of the team have worked hard to qualify twice!
So how does it work........?
As First Responders we will decide when we have time available to sign on with Ambulance Control, for example Friday and Saturday nights or when there is a large event going on in Swanage which creates extra visitors in the town. We sign in and then like being on call for the Coastguard wait for the text message to be sent from Ambulance Control. Having be tasked we then proceed to the incident and provide immediate first aid to the person until the Ambulance arrives.
Our Ambulance crews have a 50 mile round trip sometimes to either Poole or Dorchester Hospitals so often there is no Ambulance in the town, this is why we felt this scheme was important to the town and should start as soon as possible.
I'm sure you understand that Ambulance type incidents are very different to Coastguard incidents as we will be attending private addresses, so we will not be listing our incidents or creating an incident map. We will of course keep you posted on how the scheme goes.
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