Latest News from Five Villages Community First Responders

FIRST RESPONDER CO-ORDINATOR VOTED Misterton CITIZEN OF THE YEAR

THE founder and group co-ordinator of the local Five Villages First Responders Team based at Misterton, Martyn Johnson, has been awarded the Misterton Citizen of the Year Award for 2005 by the local Parish Council.

The First Responders team who are called to medical emergencies in Misterton, West Stockwith, Beckingham, Walkeringham, Gringley and surrounding parishes, have been operating since April 2004 and since then have attended over 300 emergency call outs.

Pictured L-R: The First Responder Team: Libby, Martyn, Robert, Karen and Marilyn.

The seven strong team of dedicated volunteers who are trained by East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) normally provide cover 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They are called upon by the Ambulance Service from home or work via pager when a '999' call has been made within the villages, and they then travel straight to the scene and can arrive first and begin vital life saving care until the Ambulance arrives.

Of the award Martyn said: "I was very surprised and slightly embarrassed when I was first informed by the Parish Council that I had won the Citizen of the Year. It's very nice that local people from the communities that we serve have recognised and appreciate the work and time which has been put into the First Responders group over the last two years, by myself as the founder and co-ordinator and also by the rest of the team."

"I see the award as a tribute to the dedication and commitment which has been put in by not just myself, but by all of the Five Villages First Responders Team, including those that respond to the emergency calls and also those that support us behind the scenes, and our families who have to put up with us disappearing at a moments notice when the pager goes off - it really is a team effort" said Martyn.

The Community First Responders can deal with emergencies such as collapses, and cardiac arrests, as well as patients suffering from chest pains, breathing problems, fits, strokes and other life threatening medical situations.

They carry life saving oxygen therapy equipment and automated defibrillators which are used to deliver a controlled shock to the heart of patients who have collapsed and suffered a cardiac arrest. In these cases, the patients chances of survival decreases by 10% for every one minute that goes by without them receiving care.

"Since our launch in April 2004 we have now attended over 300 emergency calls within the local area, in nearly all cases because of our rural location and the fact the Responders on duty are very close by, we have been able to arrive promptly and begin caring for the patient", said Martyn.

Alan Marwood the Rapid Response Operations Manager for EMAS said: "I couldn't think of a more worthy recipient than Martyn. The First Responders do an exceptional job as volunteers within their community and provide early access to defibrillation in Cardiac Arrest cases, and also show that the public and Ambulance Service can work together in partnership. The "Five Villages" scheme is an example of a very proactive group working within an isolated part of North Nottinghamshire, who make a real difference to patients. I have personally attended call outs with members of the team, and can vouch for their dedication, skill and professional approach to their role."

Martyn went on to say; "I would like to thank the rest of the team for their continued support and hard work, it's great working with such a dedicated and professional group of people. Thank you also to the people that voted and were involved in choosing me for the award and for the on-going support we get as a team from local people, businesses, organisations and the Ambulance and Fire crews who get to work alongside, who do such a terrific job day in day out."

10/03/06.