MEET THE TEAM - North Arran First Responders
Since the ambulance service launched its Community First Responder initiative more than 15 years ago, more than 160 schemes have been set up across Scotland.
One of those schemes is the hardworking North Arran Community First Responders, who went live on June 9 2003. They now currently have 13 dedicated volunteers – including two on call at all times. On June 9, the group will have registered over 140,000 continuous hours.
Fiona Laing, a volunteer for the Responders, said: “All the responders who have served in the group over the 16 years have risen to this challenge.”
All our Community First Responders perform an invaluable service in the community, and support Scottish Ambulance Service crews on a range of callouts, including cardiac arrests, and are invaluable in the Chain of Survival.
Fiona said the group was vital to the community.
She added: “We are very much appreciated in a very quiet and unassuming way but we know from the thanks we get how much our service means to people, especially those who have elderly relatives here who live alone or a distance from their families.
“The service is a vital part of the community - it's why we're still here continuing to provide the best service we can.”
Pictured from left to right are Douglas Coulter, Sam Bloy, Fiona Laing, Richard Wright, Mark Harwood, Gordon Furzer and Morag Brown. Volunteers not pictured are Chris Traill, Stuart Blake, Katy Penn, Liz Evans, Nigel Wells and Carol Anderson.