About us
Local volunteers, trained to save lives in our community.
What we do
Eccleshall Community First Responders (CFRs) are a group of volunteers trained by West Midlands Ambulance Service to a nationally recognised level. We provide life-saving treatment to people in our community while the ambulance is on its way.
We respond to 999 calls across Eccleshall and the surrounding villages, giving immediate care — including CPR and defibrillation — until the ambulance service arrives. In a cardiac arrest every minute without treatment dramatically reduces the chance of survival, so having trained responders close by makes a real difference.
Our training
All of our responders are trained by West Midlands Ambulance Service. Training covers CPR, defibrillator use, airway management and a range of medical emergencies. It’s free to volunteers and refreshed regularly to keep to national standards.
Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service
On 2 June 2017, Eccleshall CFRs received the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service — the highest award given to local volunteer groups in the UK. The citation recognised our work providing emergency medical aid, training and life-saving equipment to people living and working in the local community.
How we’re funded
We receive no central funding. Our volunteers give their time freely, and everything else — the response vehicle, equipment, uniforms, insurance and day-to-day running costs — is paid for by fundraising and the generosity of local people and businesses.
The people who answer the call
Volunteers from Eccleshall and the surrounding villages who give their time to respond to 999 calls.
Jay Eames
Dave Slade
Pete Moore
Rob Appleby
Fast action saves lives
Call 999
Call immediately and give your location clearly. The operator will guide you through what to do next.
Start CPR
If the person is unresponsive and not breathing normally, push hard and fast in the centre of the chest — 100 to 120 a minute.
Use a defibrillator
Switch it on and follow the instructions. It only delivers a shock if one is needed — you can’t harm someone by using it.
Help keep us on the road
We get no central funding. Every pound pays for fuel, kit, training and uniforms — and helps us reach someone in those first critical minutes.