Archive for the ‘First Responders’ Category

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Tuesday’s meeting to explain how to access and use our new village static defibrillator was well supported. Around 50 people came to hear First Responder Co-ordinator Ian Beard tell us what to expect and how to deal with someone in cardiac arrest.
Ian explained what the 999 control desk would tell a caller to do; how to obtain and use the defibrillator and how to give chest compressions and rescue breaths to the patient. He stressed that any aid given is better than none. Everyone appeared to be in agreement that they now felt confident enough to use the defibrillator to assist someone in need.
The evening finished with tea and cake provided by Parwich First Responders.
For anyone who was unable to attend the meeting and who would like to know more they are very welcome to phone Martin C (529) or Sue H (334).

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A Most Important Meeting

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A Most Important Meeting

“Possibly the most important meeting you will ever attend”

You will have read recently about the arrival of our very own static defibrillator for use by any one of us if the need should arise. Parwich First Responders can now confirm that The Community Heartbeat Trust will be coming to talk on

Tuesday 30th September
at 7.30pm
The Memorial Hall

The aim of the evening is to help you understand how to use this life-saving equipment in the event of an emergency. We hope to see as many of you there as possible. For more information you might like to read the attached leaflet:

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Click on image to enlarge

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A Most Important Meeting

“Possibly the most important meeting you will ever attend”

You will have read recently about the arrival of our very own static defibrillator for use by any one of us if the need should arise. Parwich First Responders can now confirm that The Community Heartbeat Trust will be coming to talk on

Tuesday 30th September
at 7.30pm
The Memorial Hall

The aim of the evening is to help you understand how to use this life-saving equipment in the event of an emergency. We hope to see as many of you there as possible. For more information you might like to read the attached leaflet:

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Click on image to enlarge

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Most Important Meeting

“Possibly the most important meeting you will ever attend”

You will have read recently about the arrival of our very own static defibrillator for use by any one of us if the need should arise. Parwich First Responders can now confirm that The Community Heartbeat Trust will be coming to talk on

Tuesday 30th September
at 7.30pm
The Memorial Hall

The aim of the evening is to help you understand how to use this life-saving equipment in the event of an emergency. We hope to see as many of you there as possible. For more information you might like to read the attached leaflet:

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Click on image to enlarge

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Important New Arrival

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Parwich is now the proud owner of its very own static defibrillator!! Thanks to Lottery funding, Waitrose and local charities and the organisational efforts of Martin C, on behalf of Parwich First Responders, villagers will have this kit at their disposal to use in the event of a heart attack when there are no First Responders available to assist.

How does it work? As always the first step will be to dial 999. If there is no First Responder to be dispatched the caller will be advised that they can get our static defibrillator and given instructions how to operate it. This equipment can then be used until such time as an ambulance arrives.

How will I know what to do? The defibrillator will “talk” you through what you need to do. However, training for the entire village will be provided (hopefully at the end of September) to ensure that you are confident to use it. Parwich First Responders strongly recommend that you attend this training so that you know exactly what to do to save the life of a loved-one at what will be a traumatic time.

Remember: the earlier chest compressions followed by use of a defibrillator (if appropriate) are started, the better the outcome for the patient.

Please watch this space for further information. We also hope to deliver information to each household.

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Coming Soon

Coming Soon!
Parwich will soon have a very important new arrival!
Watch this space…
Sue H

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Hurrah for Waitrose

Waitrose are donating £510 towards Parwich First Responders. A massive help towards the cost of the defibrillator. Well done to those who shopped in Waitrose for the month and thank you to Waitrose for making PFR one of their charities for the month of February.

Fiona

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The First Responders would greatly appreciate any help with fund raising for the static defib. If you have any ideas or are keen to be involved please contact Martin C on 390529.

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Static Defib Update

The total cost is in the region of £2500, and the Community Heartbeat Trust would give us £500 towards it. We have also put in for an Awards for All grant.

Martin C

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Static Defibrillator for Parwich

imageParwich First Responders are fundraising to buy a static defibrillator for public access in the village.  This would be available for anyone to use once they have rung 999 and been given the keypad code to access the defibrillator. Although the First Responders would normally attend with their mobile defibrillator, having an accessible static defibrillator would mean that this vital equipment would be available even if there was no First Responder on duty.

If anyone has ideas or would like to fund raise please contact a First Responder.

Waitrose in Ashbourne have very kindly agreed to let us have one of the in store donation boxes for the month of February. So, everyone, please get spending in Waitrose and don’t forget to ask for a green token to put in the Parwich First Responder box.

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First Responders’ New Team

Thank you to Patti for the following:

 Great news! Four intrepid Parwich residents have been braving wind and floods to undertake their First Responder training and we are relieved to announce that all four have passed and can now be added to our rota. Congratulations to Sally Peat, Margaret Wood, Helen P, and Sue P. who will now be joining Sue Hughes, Ben Bennett, Caroline Healy, Debbie Webster, Patti Beasley, Ed Linnell, Jill Love, Martin, Jean and our patient Rota Organiser, Izzy Purvis.

It’s not a moment too soon. Unfortunately, illness, injury, retirement and work commitments have been taking their toll and our numbers are severely depleted. We still don’t have the cover for the village that we would like. So please, if anyone is even considering joining us, we would be thrilled to hear from you. Absolutely no previous medical training  is required and a 4hr slot can be fitted in virtually anywhere in your week. It doesn’t matter if you work full time, part time, have a family or are just run off your feet – you might just save somebody’s life.

Please contact any First Responder to chat about what we do and how you might help.’

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New First Responders

Parwich First Responders are grateful to 4 new volunteers who will be training at the end of January to join us. As it always takes time to find dates that people can manage we would be interested to hear now from anyone who thinks that they might also be able to join our group.

We are a small but committed group who volunteer regularly to provide emergency First Aid cover for Parwich and the surrounding area. Volunteers do whatever shifts they can fit in with their usual schedules. No previous experience is required as East Midlands Ambulance Service provide the initial extensive training. Thereafter we meet as a group every 2 months to keep our skills fresh. It goes without saying that our ability to provide emergency cover around the clock depends totally on the willingness of people to train and give a few hours of their time each week.

If you think you might be able to help please call Sue (334) or Martin (529).

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Barbara L writes:

Because of the bad road conditions, Mum had to be taken to Hospital by air ambulance yesterday, as it was impossible to get an ambulance into the village.

I would just like to thank everyone out of the village who helped to get her to the air ambulance which landed in Bells yard. Now it is impossible to get into see her.

I must also say a big thank you to the paramedics who came to her – they were brilliant – and also to the doctor that came out. It had taken him three hours to get here from Belper.

Yesterday’s rescue service was provided by the Derbyshire, Leicester and Rutland Air Ambulance charity (DLRAA). If you would like to make a donation towards the vital work which they do, please visit their website. And if you would like to get involved within the village, Parwich First Responders are still short-staffed and desperately looking for new volunteers. Please ring Sue on 390334 or Patti on 390206.

Our thanks to Chris H for these photos, which show the helicopter landing yesterday.

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First Responders Needs You

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First Responders Needs You

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East Midlands Ambulance Service launched a consultation about the future of the ambulance service in our region in September. Part of the proposals they are consulting on involves the creation of a smaller number of main hub ambulance stations, where staff start and finish their work, and from where they travel to local community facilities to await emergency calls. Rather than being dedicated ambulance stations these community facilities will be shared with other services such as the Police. To achieve this a number of the smaller dedicated ambulance stations will be closed, including the Ashbourne Ambulance Station (see the Ashbourne News Telegraph website for more information).

There is concern that this may result in reduced response time in rural areas such as in our villages. Where will our nearest community base be, and what will happen while ambulances are traveling back and forwards from their hubs in Derby or Chesterfield? The Ambulance Service argue that reducing the cost of maintaining these buildings, not always now in the best locations, will release funds for better direct patient services. The consultation still has another week to run (closing date Monday 17th December) so click here if you want to have you say directly on the East Midlands Ambulance Service website.

Alternatively for those opposed to the closure of the Ashbourne Ambulance Station, you can sign a petition at the Sycamore registering your concern.

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Waitrose in Ashbourne have generously donated £527 to Parwich First Responders as a result of their green token collection where shoppers can indicate which charity they would like to receive help that month. PFR are extremely grateful for this support and would like to thank both the store and all those shoppers who “voted” for us. The money will help us with on-going training expenses and the purchase of new equipment.

Sue H

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Parwich First Responders have received a donation of £527 from the Ashbourne branch of Waitrose. The sum was raised through customers choosing which charity they would like to support via their green counters. So, many thanks to those of you who wanted to see our group receive these funds and also to Waitrose for their generous scheme.

Thanks, Sue H

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Sue H writes:

The Ashbourne branch of Waitrose has chosen Parwich First Responders as their charity for July.

If you get the chance to shop there, please support your group by putting the green token in our slot!

Additional funds are always welcome to purchase new kit, replace items that go out of date, or pay for training expenses such as hire of the Hall.

Many thanks.

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Following recent high profile heart attacks in the media  Parwich First Responders would like to offer First Aid Training to anybody who is concerned.

If you would like to find out how to help in a medical emergency we can arrange informal training to suit you. Contact Martin C on 529 or Sue H on 334.

Alternatively come and talk to us at the PPC event showcasing village groups next Wednesday 16th May at 7.30pm.

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Villagers should look out for information about the Message in a Bottle scheme: on the blog, at the pub, in the Memorial Hall and via leaflets through your letter box.

This system allows people to keep vital medical information easily available for the emergency services, should they be called out to you.

Jean and Martin (529) will have a supply of these small bottles, which you can then keep in your fridge.

Your First Responders group would also like to say a big “thank you” to all those who have made generous donations to the group over the course of the last year. In many cases, these have been the result of asking for donations to PFR, instead of birthday presents. What a lovely idea! We hope that much delicious cake was still enjoyed!

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Parwich First Responders AGM
Monday 28th November
Following FR training at 7.30pm, Memorial Hall

AGENDA

1. Apologies
2. Minutes of the previous meeting held on 22nd November 2010
3. Officers Reports:
……Chair
……Treasurer (including presentation of accounts)
……Secretary
4. To elect committee members as follows;

Chair – Sue H
Secretary – Jill L
Treasurer – Martin C
Training Co-ordinator
Equipment Co-ordinator – Sam H
Rotas – Sam H
Publicity Co-ordinator
Members rep – Jean C

5. Training dates
6. Recruitment
7. Derbyshire Excellence in the Community Award.
8. A.O.B
9. Date of next committee meeting

Jill L – Secretary Parwich First Responders
25th October 2011

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New First Responders For Parwich

Sue H, Chair of Parwich First Responders writes:
We’d like to welcome 2 more freshly trained responders into our group: Mary Y and Patti B have successfully completed their training and swell our numbers to 12 currently available to go on the rota. Congratulations and a huge “thank you” for your time and commitment!
We are always in need of new responders and if anyone feels they may be interested then please ring me on 334 or Martin C on 529 for more info.

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AGM – First Responders

Parwich First Responders AGM
Monday 28th November
Following FR training at 7.30pm, Memorial Hall

AGENDA (more…)

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We have received the following message from Sue H:

Parwich First Responders are delighted to announce that the village now has three new responders!

Debbie W, Caroline H and Heather H recently completed their training in Nottingham. It’s great news and helps no end in our ability to provide emergency cover for Parwich. Well done and thank you to all three.

We also have a new rota coordinator: Sam H will be doing our rota every Sunday as part of his volunteering for Gold Duke of Edinburgh.

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………..     ……………………………………  ……………  ……………….  ……………………  …  … In April Waitrose at Buxton included Parwich First Responders in their green token Community Charity Scheme. We would like to extend our thanks to Waitrose and to all the shoppers that chose to support us. We have received a generous donation for £295 to support our continued work in the community. Thank you.

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The efforts of Parwich First Responders were recognised last night at the Derbyshire Excellence in the Community Awards. These awards recognise adults, businesses, voluntary and charitable organisations throughout the county whose selfless work helps to improve communities and the lives of local people.

The award was formally awarded to Sue H, Chair of Parwich First Responders, but she accepted it on behalf of the entire group.

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First Responder News

This month’s training involved us taking on board a couple of minor changes in how we respond to patients if we are called out. I won’t go into the technicalities but these changes are the result of ever-continuing research which shows what treatment gets the best results. So we will actually go back to how we worked a year or so ago. It’s a challenge to wipe our brains of one set of actions, especially when we don’t use our skills regularly. Rest assured, your First Responders are on the case!
Due to family commitments and hols I haven’t mentioned our small stall at Wake’s Week. We sold heart shaped shortbread and had the dummies available for people to refresh existing resuscitation skills. It was great to see how many youngsters were keen to have a go. We also demonstrated the crucial and potentially life-saving Recovery Position. I think all of our CFR group feel that however scary it might be to contemplate resuscitating someone, it’s nothing compared to the helplessness of facing a dying loved one and not knowing what to do – the “if only” scenario. As a group we are very keen to help people gain or improve life-saving skills. We have put on training in the past and if people feel the need for another short course we would love to hear from them.
It is worth mentioning that some of our Responders who are no longer available to go on the rota nevertheless join us at training to maintain their skills. This means that we have a good pool of basic knowledge within the village.
Lastly, for anyone interested in how we spend any funds raised, here are a few examples:
  • the pads on the defibrillators have a shelf-life and need replacing
  • training dummies
  • extra defibrillators and kit bags
  • travel expenses for our volunteer trainers
  • hire of the village hall
  • funding First Aid training sessions
  • buying new items of kit as and when they are advised by EMAS
Thanks for reading and best wishes for a lovely summer form your CFR group.
Sue H

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Sue H writes:

Parwich First Responders will be having a stall on Wakes Saturday (July 2nd). There will be biscuits to buy and the dollies on which to practise resuscitation skills. We hope people will come and have a go.

We are very interested in getting younger members of the community involved in volunteering with us – you can train from the age of 18. Please feel free to come and talk to us to find out how you can get involved.

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Sue H writes:

I hope the heading has grabbed your attention, as one of our responders had the following predicament last week: when called to an emergency in Brassington in the wee small hours, despite having an address he was unable to locate the house!

Although in Parwich we are lucky enough to have a map, there are some dwellings with the same name. Added to this is the possibility of general befuddledness, especially when just summoned from one’s bed!

So if you ever need to call for an ambulance, Here’s what you should do:

1) Be clear about your address and give extra info to aid locating you ( such as “near the school”)
2) At night, turn on all the lights so that the house stands out
3) If possible, station somebody outside the house to look out for and hail the ambulance / first responders.

General news from the last month is that we have two more volunteers to train to become responders. This is proving to be a veritable rush – but don’t let it deter anyone still considering joining our ranks, since the more we are, the greater coverage we can give to the village and surrounding area.

During our March training session we met Nigel, from Ashbourne ambulance station. I can definitely recall this was his name, as it said so on his pocket and I seem to remember having it drawn to my attention. He has volunteered to attend our training sessions to help us remain focussed on key skills and enhance our knowledge. We need to practise skills on a regular basis and want to draw up some aide-memoires to keep information clear, simple and easy to remember. Nigel will be a real help to us and it is amazing that he will come to us after a busy shift, in his own free time.

Today I have been round the village distributing new pads for the defibulators in our kit. We have to check and renew these and other items which can go “past the sell-by-date”. These are items that we have to buy ourselves as a group and in my next blog post I’ll talk about what we spend our funds on.

Lastly, clarification on emergency incidents that we attend. I must stress that it is not down to ourselves to choose what we are called out for. Due to considerations such as our own safety and well-being, together with insurance issues, we are only dispatched to life threatening emergencies such as chest pain, heart attack and breathing difficulties. We are never sent to traffic accidents, children under 14 or trauma cases (such as blows to the head).

Hopefully this helps people better understand the role we perform as volunteers.

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