New Community First Responders Group Established in Dunfermline

Community First Responders (CFRs) are volunteers trained by the Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) to respond to a potentially life-threatening emergency in the vital first few minutes before an ambulance crew arrives. 

The Dunfermline group will respond to emergencies such as cardiac arrests, heart attacks, seizures, and strokes. Life-saving kit which includes vital first aid equipment, oxygen, and a portable AED was donated to the group by St John Scotland to enable them to respond to incidents.

Paul Ruthven, Dunfermline Community First Responder said: “It is natural to feel a little nervous but thanks to the excellent training, ongoing support from the SAS Community Resilience Team, and the encouragement of our fellow CFR volunteers, we know we will be ready to make a difference in our community.

“If we can help even one person, then every hour of training and preparation will have been worthwhile. It is an absolute honour and privilege to become part of the CFR community.”

Laura Cameron, Community Resilience Team Leader at the Scottish Ambulance Service, said: “It’s been great to see the enthusiasm around establishing a new Community First Responder group in Dunfermline. Starting a group takes commitment from everyone involved, and it’s fantastic to welcome volunteers who are willing to give their time to support people in their local area.

“We’ll be working closely with the group as they get established, and I’m really looking forward to seeing them grow and become part of our wider Community First Responder network.”

Find out more about Community First Responders and how to become one by clicking here.