News

The Chief executive, Antony Marsh, of West Midlands Ambulance Service popped into the monthly meeting of FastAid to present Linda Atherton with the Chief Officer’s Commendation, in recognition of her fast thinking actions only days after attending the Hearstart course. Whilst on a day trip with her grandson, he had placed a bottle top into his mouth, and unfortunately began to choke when it became lodged into the back of his throat. Linda immediately sprang into action to clear the object from ... Read more

The CFR’s were on out in force at Knowle and Dorridge’s charity fun day in the park, organized by the Round Table, the CFR’s set out to raise funds to purchase the equipment required for the new compliment of staff that are training at the moment. It was the first time the CFR’s were able to sell there new resuscitation key ring aids, which will allow the public to confidently perform Basic Life support with out risk of infection to themselves, while ... Read more

CFR’s are now being fitted with the new style FFP3 masks to prevent the spread of the flu virus during the next outbreak. Each CFR will go through a training session to ensure they are able to correctly fit the mask and are updated on the latest infection control procedures.

A window cleaner suffered serious injuries when he fell 20ft from his ladder while he was cleaning windows in Bentley Heath on Monday August 18. The man, who was 45 and from Alvechurch, was cleaning the first floor windows at a house in Slater Road when the incident unfolded at around 6.30pm. Emergency crews and two Community First Responders were quickly on the scene and called for the help of the Midlands Air Ambulance when it became clear he had suffered ‘potentially serious’ ... Read more

FastAid were asked to teach students at Solihull college how to do basic life support skills using the BHF’s Heartstart course. 16 students undertook the training and now are competent in the emergency life support skills that can make a difference to patient outcome in an emergency situation. The group have kindly given a donation to FastAid as a thank you for the training which will go towards kitting out some of our newest CFR’s.

The Birmingham Hebrew Congregation were delighted to be amongst the first members of the public to receive Emergency Life Skills through the BHF’s Heartstart course. Ian Thomas, FastAid’s training instructor said he was very pleased with the course, and found it very easy to deliver to the staff and members of the Synagogue. The members had already purchased there own defibrillator due to the vast numbers of visitors the site receives, and members of the WMAS followed the session with AED training, ... Read more

On Sunday 10th May FastAid entered the Knowle Fun Run in Aid of local charities. To create a higher level of awareness Tim Atherton, Dave Monk, Sam Jackson and Steve Franklin agreed to run with a spine board loaded with a resus Annie and a Defibrillator The distance of the run was 5 miles and was harder than they had hoped! The four runners came in with an excellent time of 55 mins, quicker than many other runners!  They were also ... Read more

This afternoon saw responders from Fastaid being recognised for their achievements at the West Midlands Ambulance Service Volunteers Award Ceremony in Hereford. Fastaid members received a total of 10 awards, more than any other responder group in the ceremony was presided over by the Honourable Mr Gilbert Greenall, High Sheriff of Herefordshire and Worcestershire. After receiving his award for Fundraiser of the Year Mark Atherton commented “I was surprised and very honoured to receive this award and was fascinated to hear about ... Read more

New Fastaid recruit Terry Flower is setting off this Friday (1st May) on a four day cycling challenge. After starting with his wheel in the Irish Sea he will cycle the 147 miles, half of which are off road, to the North Sea on the infamous Coast to Coast ride. Originally Terry was doing the ride for ‘pleasure’ but became involved with Fastaid by chance when a visitor was suddenly taken ill at his home recently.” As well as despatching an ambulance, ... Read more

Community First Responders from Fastaid took to Touchwood, Solihull on Tuesday to raise awareness of the charity. As well as talking to local people the team also ran CPR demonstrations and instruction. Fastaid were joined by the British Heart Foundation with who they work very closely to provide Heartstart emergency life support courses to local community groups. Gym passes and bags kindly supplied by Virgin Active were also raffled off to raise vital funds for ... Read more