What, Where, Why ?
A CFR (Community First Response) team is made up of a group of Volunteers.
The team of CFR's are highly trained individuals who operate as a charity under the governance of West Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust. To Date Staffordshire locality CFR's are the highest trained in the whole of the UK.
The Scheme was set up because approximately 600 people die each year unnecessarily of cardiac arrest and those who live in a rural area can expect a slower response from the Emergency Services than town dwellers. Every Minute delay reduces the chance of survival.
In a CFR's case the control room will despatch them to an emergency call within their area. At the same time a larger passenger vehicle will also be dispatched. Whilst the larger vehicle and crew are still on their way, CFR's have usually completed the essential patient assessment and began treatment. Once the second crew arrive, the Paramedic will then take charge and transport the patient to hospital