 | All First Responders are also vetted by 'Disclosure Scotland'.
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| The Penicuik scheme has been set up by a group of highly motivated people who are active in our community. They have received sterling support from many sources to help set up and launch this very worthwhile community project.
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| Key supporters have been staff and volunteers from
Beeslack Community High School - Lifesavers UK -
The Scottish Ambulance Service and the Rotary Club who have helped by providing financial support.
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| Currently the scheme boasts 24 trained First Responders and a
management group of 12.
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| The Community First Responder will often be first on scene to deal with certain types of emergency prior to the arrival of the ambulance. Responders will be sent to attend the patient and provide vital early life saving skills until the
ambulance arrives.
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| Current evidence points to early assistance giving patients a much-improved chance of survival. The Community First Responder is someone aged between 18 and 70 who is physically fit.
Responders are fully trained in the skilled use of a defibrillator and other basic life saving skills and they will carry distinctive identification tags issued by The Scottish Ambulance Service.
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| Responders will volunteer their time at mutually agreed times and will be called out by the Ambulance Service to attend local medical collapses until the ambulance arrives.
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| Similar schemes are already in operation throughout Scotland and The Scottish Ambulance Service has agreed that the Penicuik area would benefit from a self-funded community scheme such as this. |
