Community wardens trained as first responders

The Royal Borough's community wardens have added yet another string to their bow - to provide immediate first aid at the scene of an emergency.

All the wardens recently completed training provided free by the South Central Ambulance Service NHS Trust (SCAS) as first responders in an emergency when an ambulance is on its way.

From Monday 7 February the wardens will carry defibrillators in their vehicles to enable them to carry out immediate first aid to victims of heart attacks, fits, seizures or chest pains.

When the 999 call is received by the ambulance service the community wardens will be contacted and if they are in the area and able to respond they will attend.

Cllr Colin Rayner, Cabinet Member for Highways and Streetcare, said: "In an emergency situation each minute without a defibrillator reduces the chances of survival by 14% so having the community wardens fully trained could, in some cases, be a life saver.

"We are not replacing the vital role played by the ambulance service - but if we are able to respond as the ambulance crew is on its way to improve someone's chances then this has to be a good thing. I am delighted that the community wardens' role is once again expanding to provide this vital service."

Dave Hamer, Acting Community Responder Manager, South Central Ambulance Service, said: "Once again this is an excellent example of partnership working between the Royal Borough's community wardens and SCAS. Their commitment to the public is highlighted by them becoming community responders and providing early intervention if required until one of our ambulance crews arrive.

"I would like to thank Cllr Colin Rayner and Brian Martin, the borough's Community Safety Manager, for allowing this partnership to happen, along with the wardens themselves who undertook the training with Marc Lister, our East Berkshire Community Responder Training Officer. I am sure this responder group will be of tremendous help to the local community and I wish them well with their ongoing training and putting what they have learnt into practice."

Andy Aldridge, Senior Community Warden, said: "It's great that the wardens can provide this service in such vital situations. We hope we never get called on, but if we do we are ready.

Becoming trained as community responders clearly demonstrates the wardens' willingness to expand their role and to work with a wide range of partners."