Community First Responders

A Community First Responder is a member of the public who volunteers to help their community by responding to medical emergencies while the ambulance is on its way. All volunteers receive specialist training and equipment so that they can provide an early intervention before the arrival of the professional ambulance crew.

Anyone who wishes to help their community can volunteer and no previous medical experience is necessary, although you will need a caring attitude and the ability deal with potentially distressing situations.

You will be trained in the use of automatic external defibrillators, oxygen therapy and a wide range of emergency skills, including how to assist in life threatening situations such as heart or asthma attack.

If there is a life threatening emergency in your area, you will be asked to respond to assist until the ambulance crew arrives. You will not knowingly be asked to attend any types of incidents that you have not been trained to deal with.

The Scottish Ambulance Service operates more than fifty Community First Responder schemes across Scotland and there are five regional co-ordinators who are responsible for supporting the schemes and helping those that wish to volunteer. 

To become a volunteer first responder you must be:

• at least 18 years old;
• able to demonstrate and maintain a level of fitness to meet the role;
• an effective communicator with good interpersonal skills;
• able to demonstrate logical approach;
• work under pressure, yet stay calm;
• have a desire to learn;
• reside or work in the area in which the scheme is based;
• able to respond without delay to incidents;
• complete a criminal records check (Enhanced Disclosure Scotland check);
• have some first aid knowledge (not essential);
• long term commitment to the role.

If you are interested in becoming a Community First Responder, you should contact the appropriate co-ordinator for your area from the list below.

Frequently asked questions on becoming a Community First Responder.

You can also learn what to do in a life threatening situation by taking part in the Heartstart UK initiative co-ordinated by the British Heart Foundation.  The training courses are free and teach you the basic skills of emergency life support

Scottish Ambulance Service Community First Responder Schemes   

Contact: South West Division; Vicki Moyes - Email

Contact: East Central Division; Keith Cameron - Email

Contact: West Central – Anne Harrison - Email

Contact: South East – Bryan Finlay - Email

Contact: North Division; Alan Knox - Email

Scottish Ambulance Service Co-Responder Schemes

Co-Responders’ are First Responders within either Police or Fire Services working in partnership with the Scottish Ambulance Service.