Community First Responders

Having got the rope work under our belt, our next major project is to become Community First Responders.

This is a scheme run by the Ambulance service for communities like Swanage where a group of volunteers provide vital first aid cover until an Ambulance arrives.

Current private schemes run in Kimmeridge, Lulworth and Lyme Regis.

Following a trial in Hampshire with the Coastguard, we hopefully will be the 1st team in Dorset to take part in this scheme.

However even before we get anywhere near the training there are CRB checks to be carried out.

CRB or Criminal Records Bureau checks are a requirement by the Ambulance Service and all team members have had the joys of completing the forms. (in fact twice as we managed to put the wrong address on the forms so had to start again!). These will be sent away this week and we start training at the weekend.

Just one small problem......the Coastguard actually hasn't signed the agreement with the Ambulance Service yet.