(This article was published in the Village Pump dated March 14, 2003.)
Samford First Responders Group (SFRG)
We’re active! The Samford First Responders began responding to medical emergencies on the 20th February, responding with the QAS ambulances to 000 calls in the Samford and surrounding districts. In our first two weeks of operation we were responded to over 10 medical emergencies and the community is already reaping the benefits of the program.
Samford First Responders have undergone training by Mick and Rob from Grovely QAS in senior first aid, advanced resuscitation, oxygen therapy and semi-automatic defibrillation, together with many hours of ‘ride-alongs’ in ambulances to provide ‘hands-on’ consolidation of our skills.
Our aim is to quickly attend the scene of a medical emergency, provide life support, scene stabilisation and a situation report back to QAS.
To do this we are equipped with trauma kit, oxygen therapy equipment and AED (semi-automatic external defibrillator), together with communications equipment to enable us to keep in contact with QAS communications centre and the responding QAS paramedics.
Our roster provides three fully equipped volunteer First Responders ‘on call’ 24 hours a day. When the pagers activate we drive in our own vehicles to the incident to provide assistance as required. This means that up to three First Responders may arrive at an incident, as well as the ambulances. We also have distinctive uniforms and, where required, highly reflective overvests for safety and identification purposes.
The Samford First Responders are looking for additional community members to join us and help spread the load. If you have an interest and would like to know more please contact our team leader Martin Orme on 3289 6186, and also find out more at our web site www.SamfordFRG.aesvn.org.
As with any fledgling volunteer organisation, we have relied heavily on the members personal funds and commitment to get started, and we would be delighted to hear from any individuals or organisations that can assist with sponsorship or donations. We have already secured some generous sponsors and encourage you to read who they are on our web page, but we need more! If you think you may be able to help, please contact Steve Parry on 3289 1661.