Busiest Weekend for FastAid
December 21st, 2011
- Left to Right: Karen Ratcliffe, Linda Atherton, Andy Jeynes, Terry Flower
For what was forecast to be the busiest weekend of the year, FastAid volunteers from Solihull were out in force in Touchwood, Solihull High Street and Broad Street in Birmingham. The Community First Responders had their busiest weekend ever answering emergency calls passed to them by West Midlands Ambulance Service.
In addition Luke Jeyes, an A&E nurse and FastAid CFR, helped with the temporary minor injuries set up in Broad Street to relieve pressure on the local hospitals.
Sam Jackson, Chairman of FastAid Solihull, explained “We knew there was likely to be a high demand placed on the ambulance service and our teams were in Broad Street on Friday night until 0400, in Touchwood Shopping centre over the two days and in Solihull town centre on Saturday night until 0400. We were ready to get to the scene quickly and provide treatment until an ambulance arrived. We attended some alcohol related problems but also people with breathing difficulties and a possible stroke. Time can be critical in medical emergencies so we positioned ourselves where the highest call volume was likely and the number of incidents proved how important that decision was. Our skilled responders are unpaid and I pay tribute to their continued selfless dedication. We are already planning for New Year’s Eve where 999 calls increase significantly. Some of our CFRs will even be on call on Christmas day.”
Andy Jeynes, Community Response Manager for West Midlands Ambulance Service, added “I was extremely proud of the way the volunteers gave up their time and contributed so much when the need was greatest.”