Profile of HWFR...
Each volunteer undertook a First Responder qualification delivered by paramedic trainers from North West Ambulance Service over a period of 13 weeks. During this period each volunteer were required to undertake a number of 'observation' shifts on both operational ambulances and Rapid Response Vehicles to familiarise themselves with the daily workings of NWAS.
The training is aimed to provide immediate basic life support and early access defibrillation. The course covered basic life support, oxygen therapy, first aid and safe use of an automatic external defibrillator. Other sessions include: Health and Safety and Communications.
Upon successful completion of this course, HWFR responded to their first emergency call on the 3rd November 2006. Since then we have maintained an active profile in the wider Halton & Warrington area. We are controlled and activated by the Emergency Control Centre (Cheshire and Mersey area) and are despatched in the same way as an ambulance or rapid response vehicle are we receive our calls on a mobile data terminal which operates on Smartphone technology.
Initially the team was called Halton First Responders as we were primarily responding in the Halton area (Widnes and Runcorn). We started with one call sign; FR821 and our dedicated volunteers provided daily cover on a rota basis. During first year of operation we identified that we had the capacity within the team where we would be able to provide cover for a second call sign, and as such we were one of the first teams to operate a second call sign FR823 during busy periods and peak demand.
Following the success of this Halton team we started to establish a further call sign to cover the Warrington area, as this was also an area where the community would benefit from such a service. This was developed in late 2007 and officially launched in January 2008.
The team is entirely voluntary and made up of members of the community from a variety of working backgrounds. The team do not receive any central funding and are reliant upon generous donations from local businesses and public donations. However all essential equipment and training is supplied and provided by the North West Ambulance Service. All of our volunteers respond in their own vehicles and provide countless hours of support to the people of Halton & Warrington.
Established in May 2006 Halton & Warrington First Responders are a team of medically trained volunteers who respond to life threatening emergency medical calls. We were the first voluntary team to work in a major town within the operational area of North West Ambulance Service.
Each volunteer undertook a First Responder qualification delivered by paramedic trainers from North West Ambulance Service over a period of 13 weeks. During this period each volunteer were required to undertake a number of 'observation' shifts on both operational ambulances and Rapid Response Vehicles to familiarise themselves with the daily workings of NWAS.
The training is aimed to provide immediate basic life support and early access defibrillation. The course covered basic life support, oxygen therapy, first aid and safe use of an automatic external defibrillator. Other sessions include: Health and Safety and Communications.
Upon successful completion of this course, HWFR responded to their first emergency call on the 3rd November 2006. Since then we have maintained an active profile in the wider Halton & Warrington area. We are controlled and activated by the Emergency Control Centre (Cheshire and Mersey area) and are despatched in the same way as an ambulance or rapid response vehicle are we receive our calls on a mobile data terminal which operates on Smartphone technology.
Initially the team was called Halton First Responders as we were primarily responding in the Halton area (Widnes and Runcorn). We started with one call sign; FR821 and our dedicated volunteers provided daily cover on a rota basis. During first year of operation we identified that we had the capacity within the team where we would be able to provide cover for a second call sign, and as such we were one of the first teams to operate a second call sign FR823 during busy periods and peak demand.
Following the success of this Halton team we started to establish a further call sign to cover the Warrington area, as this was also an area where the community would benefit from such a service. This was developed in late 2007 and officially launched in January 2008.
The team is entirely voluntary and made up of members of the community from a variety of working backgrounds. The team do not receive any central funding and are reliant upon generous donations from local businesses and public donations. However all essential equipment and training is supplied and provided by the North West Ambulance Service. All of our volunteers respond in their own vehicles and provide countless hours of support to the people of Halton & Warrington.
Overview
FR1821
This is our 'Halton' area call sign, predominantly operating in the Runcorn area, however cover is often provided in the Widnes and surrounding areas.
This is our 'Halton' area call sign, predominantly operating in the Runcorn area, however cover is often provided in the Widnes and surrounding areas.
FR1830
This is our second call sign, which provides cover during weekdays and of course as a second vehicle if required.
FR1823
This call sign was originally our spare capacity, this has now been redployed as a regular call sign for the 'Warrington' area
This call sign was originally our spare capacity, this has now been redployed as a regular call sign for the 'Warrington' area