Members of the Fire and Rescue Service and Ambulance Service will be available for
a photocall on Saturday, 17 February 2007 at 10.00 a.m. at Freshwater Fire Station, Tennyson Road, Freshwater

An exciting and innovative partnership between the Island’s Fire and Rescue Service and the Isle of Wight NHS Primary Care Trust’s Ambulance Service’s is set to benefit the West Wight community. The two Services have joined in partnership to establish a “Co-Responder” scheme which starts on Saturday 24 February.

When people fall suddenly ill, they often need immediate medical attention, and in more serious cases early treatment can be the difference between life and death.

Co-responders are fire personnel who have been given additional training by the Ambulance Service, in order for them to attend certain 999 medical emergency calls in their local area.
The co-responder scheme is not a replacement for trained paramedics in front line ambulances – an ambulance will always be dispatched to attend the patient. When an emergency call is received by the Ambulance Service, if it is classified as potentially life threatening or where it is clear that an earlier intervention will make a difference, then a co-responder is dispatched at the same time as a front line response vehicle.
Both Freshwater and Yarmouth stations are taking part, and so far 14 firefighters have been trained in patient assessment, extended first aid, oxygen therapy and in the management of medical emergencies. Much of the training ha s also concentrated on the use of automatic defibrillators, which are used to try and re-start the heart after a cardiac arrest. With the latest evidence showing that these machines are most effective if used within the first 5 minutes after the patient has collapsed, it is clear that the co-responders will play a significant part in improving survival rates for patients suffering a cardiac arrest.

First responder schemes have been successfully running in several areas of the Island for the last few years.

Paul Street, Acting Chief Fire Officer for the Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service said, “Firefighters are dedicated to protecting and serving their communities. Traditionally, this has mainly been about firefighting and rescue, but the range of activities now undertaken by our Service has expanded hugely over the years. Responding to medical emergencies as co-responders alongside our professional colleagues from the Isle of Wight Ambulance Service, increases the chance of patient survival and recovery. In life threatening medical emergencies this can and will make a difference”.

Ian Yeo, Community Defibrillation Officer for the Isle of Wight Ambulance Service said “We are delighted to be joining with the Fire Service in what will undoubtedly be a life-saving initiative. Having co-responders available in the local area will mean that they are very likely to arrive before the ambulance, and therefore start the life-saving process early. As an ambulance response is always sent at the same time, it is clear that the co-responders will be an enhancement of the service we provide, ensuring that those patients with the most urgent needs receive prompt and efficient treatment”.