News – Selsey Community First Responders

SELSEY COMMUNITY FIRST RESPONDERS SCHEME

There have been some Social Media comments about recent events surrounding people in Selsey having to wait a lengthy time for an ambulance to arrive.

This article is designed to clarify the situation as to the role of the Selsey Community First Responder (CFR) team and how it supports the local community.

Firstly to become a CFR you need to have time to contribute. The role is completely unpaid and voluntary. The Responders are selected at interview by SECAMB (South East Coast Ambulance Service) who are responsible for the training ( candidates must pass an initial 5 day intensive course to qualify to become a CFR plus an annual recertification) and on-going training to ensure that they are compliant with the very latest health regulations ensuring that patients are properly protected. Everything must be ‘in-date’ in order that the Ambulance Trust is able to prove compliance should something go wrong and to show that everything has been done to protect patients.

The primary function of a CFR is to save lives. If someone’s heart stops (Cardiac Arrest, CA), unless oxygen is sent to the brain within 7 minutes the chances of full recovery reduce by 10% every minute over this time. For that specific emergency, we are highly trained to resuscitate a CA patient and provide quality CPR (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation).

CFR’s are assigned to a medical emergency by the SECAMB Call Centre following a 999 call by a member of the community depending upon Call Centre’s assessment of the emergency call.

Ambulances can take over 20 minutes to get to Selsey even at the highest alert level. Over the past year, response times have been just under 7 minutes by CFR’s. This means we have to be mobile towards an incident within a minute of receiving an alert. In turn that means that we have to be available for set times, so we ‘sign on’ for say an 8-hour shift.

The minimum commitment required of a CFR is to be on call is 20 hours per month. On average our CFR’s have made themselves available for 20 hours per week for the past 3 months. To be ready for a ‘shift’ we have to be in uniform, awake and all our kit checked, cleaned, sterilised and ready for immediate action.

If there is a need for attendance at an incident that does not involve severe risk to life, we may be sent if there is not an ambulance within sufficient distance to attend within 18 minutes. In this case we have the equipment to restart the heart of a patient should their condition deteriorate and to carry out observations to help the ambulance crew assess the severity of the illness. We can also carry out some interventions, for example if there is a bleed, shortness of breath or likelihood of a heart attack. Our job is to bridge the gap between the patient call and the arrival of the ambulance. We do attend trauma with children, however we are not qualified to attend Road Traffic Collisions or Obstetrics.

So, if someone becomes ill in Selsey (but not life-threatening) and there is a CFR on duty, we may be sent to assist. In that case we will do all we can to make the patient comfortable and be there in case things take a turn for the worse.

So to summarise, the CFR team is here for the residents of Selsey. We put in as much time as we are able to support saving lives. The job is sometimes highly stressful and is only rewarded by the thanks and appreciation of the people we help.

The Scheme is totally dependent upon donations from the Selsey community at large as we receive no financial assistance from the either the ambulance authority (SECAMB) or the NHS. Whilst SECAMB are responsible for the recruitment and training and on-going assessment of the Responders, our scheme is responsible for providing everything else, from vehicles, uniforms and medical equipment including defibrillators for use by the Responders……’keeping our Responders on the road’

Every penny received is invested back into the Scheme as we exist purely as a result of individuals volunteering their time.

Thanks to the generosity of the Selsey community at large, the Scheme has been able to procure and install 13 public access defibrillators in the town, to date, one of the highest concentrations of public access defibrillators in any town. Our hope is that anyone suffering a cardiac arrest in the community is never going to be far away from a defibrillator that anyone can grab and use. They are simple to use and the Scheme is available to provide public demonstrations to train people in CPR to help them to feel confident to ‘step forward’ and help someone in trouble rather than ‘step back’.

If anyone feels like they would want to join our team, we would love to have more CFR’s (please contact info@selseyfirstresponders.org in the first instance). Despite the challenges, there are moments when it is highly rewarding –when we make a difference with a patient. We’re here to save lives – every second counts.

A shift in the life of a CFR

It’s a miserable 0430 on a Tuesday morning. The alarm goes off. Oh yes, a Responding day….

Rings and watch off, uniform on, scrubbed up and ready to go. Check the van and start her to make sure she’ll go when the first call comes in. Check the equipment, PPE, defibrillator and materials – masks, oxygen, pulse oximeter, bandages and medicines pouch. It’s dark, so check the torch. A cup of coffee and then hit the ‘On Duty’ button on the airwave radio. A minute later the siren wails to confirm that I’m connected to the computerised despatch system and a quick call to the Emergency Operations Control to confirm the types of call and the length of the shift and I’m ready to respond.

We’re all here for the Cardiac Arrest – the highest priority and the call that will activate the quickest response of all. Time is precious here – every second counts. I’ve been on call for 420 hours since we were re-tasked on the 5^th June post the initial lockdown. I’ve responded to 24 calls in that time. So yes, we do sit and wait a lot, but everything changes when the radio bursts into life again.

Adrenaline pumps through your system as you hurriedly scroll through the incoming text. What priority is the call? what is the background? and then what’s the postcode and house number?. Enter the code into the satnav and off into the cool morning air. I push the button to indicate I’m mobile on the call within 30 seconds, van warm and setting out. I put on the windshield light to show I’m on a call and head for the patient. There’s no breaking the speed limit allowed, so I rely on people’s courtesy and awareness to give way when needed. The frustration of not being able to help the patient whilst driving, and potential scenarios going through my mind. I imagine the ‘process’ to go through, what the house will be like, what are the priorities for the patient.

I’m at the postcode, and a torch beam normally finds the house number. Sometimes you rely on a code for a key safe to gain access, sometimes the door is left open. Now I don PPE to protect the patient and myself before entering the house. If the call is a Cardiac Arrest, speed is of the essence. The key is to assess any dangers and then to treat the patient as fast as possible using the defibrillator which we all carry whilst maintaining chest compressions (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation). In addition we communicate with the Emergency Operator to update them with the status of the patient. The ambulance will be on the way as fast as possible and the ‘A’ team will be on scene very soon, however our local presence means that even with the highest level alert, I have been ‘on scene’ up to 12 minutes before the ambulance – vital time to improve the likely outcome for the patient.

If the call is not a Cardiac Arrest, I might say ‘Hi, I’m Nigel and I’m a First Responder. I’ll look after you until the ambulance gets here’. People are naturally scared – the patient and their loved ones. There are often dogs to be reassured, narrow entrances, small spaces, lights to be put on, TV to switch off. If the patient is conscious, the key is to complete observations to support the ambulance crew when they arrive. If Control isn’t sure of the situation you may call to update them on the seriousness of the patient so they can in turn brief the ambulance crew what to expect.

After the initial concern and taking observations there’s often time to chat and reassure the patient and their relatives. The fact that someone is there in a time of crisis with the expertise to help if things take a turn for the worse is comforting for everyone.

The ambulance arrives and I give the crew a handover of the patient’s condition, history and any medications they may be taking or other relevant information, plus the actions I’ve taken in support of the patient and hand over to them for further observations and action. Where possible, I’ll ask the crew if I’ve done the right thing and ask for any feedback, then I’m back to the van and home again to swab equipment and get ready for the next alert. I log the call and then think through how it went, building experience as every second counts and every patient is unique. At 1430 after 8 hours, the shift ends, I log off and get changed for the rest of the day.

If anyone feels like they would want to join our team, we would love to have more CFR’s (please contact info@selseyfirstresponders.org in the first instance). We’re here to save lives – every second counts.

SELSEY COMMUNITY FIRST RESPONDERS

We are responding to help the people of Selsey who are in a healthcare crisis as well as keeping others safe from Covid-19. Extra requirements, for example putting on PPE, add minutes to our time from call until we can be actively helping patients.

If a CFR van is driving with a lit sign in the windscreen saying Community First Responder, then it is going TO an emergency call or engaged with a patient on such a call (we switch this sign OFF when we return to home/ base after a call or when driving the van for other reasons).

We are not allowed to break the speed limit or drive in any way other than in accordance with the Highway Code, which makes it difficult to be fast, and this is why it is especially helpful if, when other drivers see such a vehicle, they try to safely enable it to have priority. Every second counts when it comes to helping someone who is in a medical emergency.

Thankyou, as always, to the generosity of the Selsey community who are actively fundraising to support our local response unit.

As a result of this we have been able to increase the number of Public Access Defibrillators which any member of the public can use to help a patient. These are accessed by a code given to you by the emergency response (999) and are self-explanatory in use.

As soon as we are able, we will start helping people with training to give people the confidence to step IN in a crisis.

Selsey is probably the town most ‘rich’ in this resource because of that generosity.

For more information about the Selsey Community First Responders Scheme, how to make a donation or if would like to become a fundraiser, please see www.selseyfirstresponders.org or email info@selseyfirstresponders.org.

A 2019 Review

As 2019 has come to an end, the Selsey Community First Responders Scheme would like to thank all our supporters who have given so generously to the scheme.

From the Corporate Partners (Bunn Leisure, S-Fabs and Trident Structures). local organisations and clubs (Selsey Open Gardens and Walking Festival, Manhood Classic Cars, The Shanty Men, Gainsborough Singers, Sue Bringloe Yoga Class, Selsey Golf Ladies and Veterans, West Sussex Carpet Bowls, Crablands Bowls, Selsey Fireworks, the Lions, St Wilfrids Swimathon, the Local Business Alliance, The Seal, Brian Ridley (the busking flautist) and all the good people of Sesey who have put a donation in our collection boxes distributed around the town. And to our own team of fundraisers for their fantastic commitment and hard work in attending Lifeboat Day, the Village fete, numerous Table Top Sales and for organising a very successful Curry and Quiz Night and the recent Christmas Market at Selsey Town Hall.

Finally, to Colin Rose (Rose Electrics) who gives his time and fittings free of charge installing the defibrillators around the town.

Every penny received is invested back in the Scheme.

The Scheme is totally dependent upon donations as we receive no financial support either from the local ambulance authority (SECAMB) or the NHS.

Whilst SECAMB is responsible for the recruitment and training and on-going assessment of our Responders our Scheme is responsible for providing everything else from vehicles, uniforms and maintaining the operability of the defibrillators around the town.

The Scheme also purchases defibrillators for each of our Responder Team who are all volunteers giving up their personal time to help the Selsey community when asked to attend a medical emergency by the ambulance authority.

The base cost to the Scheme of car tax, car insurance, vehicle maintenance and maintaining defibrillators is £3500 and, additionally, each Responder defibrillator costs £1000+.

To date, with the donations from the Selsey community, the Scheme has been able to purchase and instal 11 Public Access Defibrillators (PADs) around the town. Given our relative remoteness on the Manhood Peninsular, a combination of Responders and PADs (each defibrillator and cabinet costs in excess of £1500) is vital in helping to save lives in the community. WHERE EVERY SECOND COUNTS….

For more information about the Scheme, how you can help to support the Selsey Community First Responders, or if you have an interest in becoming a First Responder email:

info@selseyfirstresponders.org

Introducing our new Responder – Nigel Allfrey.

Nigel has very recently become operational and here is his experience to date.

It takes an ambulance 18 minutes to get to Selsey from Chichester – if an ambulance is available and the single road isn’t blocked.

On average, it has taken me 8mins 12secs from receiving an alert to being at the patients address over the past month of calls. On each of the 20 calls I have received in that time, I have been there ahead of the ambulance, sometimes by 20 minutes. We know also that every minute over 4 minutes decreases a patients chances of recovering fully from heart failure by 10%. If the brain can be kept oxygenated, 18 minutes is the accepted time to be able to restart a heart. So we are looking at fine margins.

The geographical challenge of emergency access to the town as well as the reality of a large relatively elderly population is why I applied for the voluntary role of Community First Responder in Selsey. Before moving here I was a Samaritan for 5 years and was looking for something a little different when we came in 2017.

Its a role that requires commitment – a 5-day intensive training course is only one of the many steps that need to be passed to even start out on a ‘mentoring’ time. As well as continuous professional development and team meetings, there is the time ‘logged on’ – at any moment being alerted by a text message to go to the help of a patient with only very limited information as to their state of health. The role is flexible in relation to when you ‘log on’ with a minimum amount of time required (which is not exacting) to deliver. Personally, I have been able to be available for 110 hours in the last month, although some dedicated CFRs do as much in a week.

It is true that all calls are not an imminent danger to life. However, being there with the equipment should things take a turn for the worst reassures patients and their worried families. On many occasions, taking observations enables stressed people to be calm and practical steps can make the wait endurable as well as making the ambulance crew’s jobs much easier when they arrive.

In Selsey we are really lucky in that the community really appreciates the CFR service. People contribute to funds to enable us to have the best equipment as well as installing ‘Public Access Defibrillators’ all around the town (we are a charity and have to self-fund our activities). Also, we train as many people as possible how to use a defibrillator and have confidence to step in when there is a crisis rather than walking away. The number of people who have said ‘Thank goodness a First Responder is here!’ is a wonderful appreciation of the work we do and definitely makes it worthwhile. Attending charity events, it’s also heartening how many people willingly dive into their purses when they see our banners rather than steering around the stall!!

Also, we are actively promoting the ‘GoodSam” app through which people with some first aid training are alerted to an emergency events in their immediate vicinity.

There is a gap, though ……..

We really want to staff a 24/7 service in Selsey, but that will need more volunteers to be trained. So, if you feel you have the energy, time and inclination to join our team and embark on a rewarding new venture with a huge learning curve or for more information about our charity and how you can help to support the Selsey Community First Responders then please contact us. See the ‘Contact us’ page.

A news up-date

Thank you to the Gainsborough Singers, Manhood Classic Cars and Brian Ridley, who busks in Selsey High Street playing his flute, for their contributions to our Charity and all our supporters.

As a Charity we rely entirely upon the generosity of the Selsey community for keeping our Responders on the road, helping to save lives in the community.

Selsy First Responders are available to give demonstrations at any time and we would encourage community groups to consider them as a way of getting more information and confidence in dealing with a medical emergency were it ever to arise. Please e-mail info@selseyfirstresponders.org if you have an interest in booking a demonstration.

Nigel Allfrey is now fully operational and is a very welcome addition to our Responding team.

SELSEY FIRST RESPONDERS WILL BE HOLDING A CHRISTMAS FAYRE ON SATURDAY, 2ND NOVEMBER IN THE SELSEY TOWN HALL FROM 10am until 2pm. DO COME ALONG AND SEE US.

The Selsey Community First Responders (SCFR) Scheme wish to say a huge thank you to the Selsey Walking and Outdoor Festival/Open Gardens Scheme for their organisation of a fantastic event and to all garden owners who chose to present their gardens in such a fabulous way to be enjoyed by all those who visited on the day of the Selsey Open Gardens event. Everyone’s hard work culminated in the SCFR being presented with a cheque for a magnificent £3,136.

Whilst South East Coast Ambulance (SECAmb) recruit and provide the initial and on-going training for our Responders ensuring that they are always compliant with with best practise, SCFR is responsible for ensuring that the Responders are fully supported to fulfil their roles, which are given on a voluntary basis. We supply our Responders with a defibrillator, medical supplies, a uniform and the transport to respond when assigned to a 999 emergency call by SECAmb.

SCFR has a fleet of 3 cars at present bought from contributions made by Selsey Town Council, local businesses and the people of Selsey. Each vehicle has to be taxed, insured and serviced as required.

In addition, SCFR has over the past 2 to 3 years procured and installed defibrillators in eleven locations throughout Selsey.

It is hoped that, with the continued generosity of the Selsey community, the installation of defibrillators will be extended in the coming years, but our first priority will always be to keep our Responders on the road helping to save lives in the community – every second counts

…AND YET ANOTHER PAD

Another Public Access Defibrillator (PAD) has been fitted to the East Beach Kiosk and, as the name implies, is for use by the public in case of emergency. However, it is important to understand that these PADs are operated in conjunction with the South-East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb) so ……

HOW TO USE A PAD

Make a 999 call and the SECAmb call-taker will assess the situation and, if needed, the rescuer will be given the location of the nearest PAD and the code to unlock the box. Keep the line to the call-taker open so that further advice or help can be given. Make sure you have the code clearly in your mind before heading off for the nearest PAD. Without it you will not be able to open the box. The box contains a Smart Defibrillator which will tell you what to do and when to do it. With the line kept open, the call-taker will be there to help.

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT -2019

My Reports for 2017 and 2018 repeated the 2016 headline in the Chichester Observer – “Desperate Selsey First Responders at breaking point”. I am delighted to report that this headline no longer applies. We are now financially and operationally fit for purpose.

Operationally, training of Responders by SECAmb has been the major problem. As a result we have had, and lost, several volunteers. Therefore, I wrote to the CEO of South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb) to advise him that the Selsey Community First Responder service was in jeopardy unless we get our volunteers trained. A positive response was received, initially from the CEO and subsequently from the Director of Operations. Changes within SECAmb coincided with this correspondence and a recruiting period occurred during January/February 2019. Two of our volunteers, Heather Gaughran-Gritt and Carol Jerram, have been trained and are in the process of being validated making them operational.

SCFR’s registration with the Charity Commission ceased in 2010, presumably because our annual income was below the required £5K. However, we remained registered as a charity with HMRC. An improvement in our income allowed us to renegotiate our position with the Charity Commission and, after nearly 12 months hard work by the Treasurer, our registration was renewed. Our old charity number, 1096931, has been resurrected.

The support SCFR receives from the Selsey Community remains impressive. So much so, that we have been able to purchase another car (Kia Picanto) and this is in the process of being branded and should be operational in a few days. Our original and old Picanto was sold earlier in the year for £500. It passed its MOT, but it was clear that expensive repairs would be needed before the next MOT. Presently we are financially secure. However, the Corporate Partners final payment is due this year and the agreement will have to be renegotiated, hopefully for another 3 years. Oceanair has been taken over by Dometic and it is uncertain whether they will accept the agreement made with Oceanair. A letter has been sent to the CEO of Dometic, but no reply has been received to date. I would like to thank every individual and organisation who have supported us so generously throughout the year.

Requests for demonstrations on the application of CPR and the use of defibrillators are regularly being received. So much so, that we now have one Responder being tasked as Demonstrations Coordinator. At present, arrangements for 2 demonstrations have been finalised, but 3 more are pending. As usual, there will be a demonstration on Lifeboat Day.

We have placed a further Public Access Defibrillator (PAD) on the East Beach Kiosk, making 10 installations operated by SCFR. A further site presently is being considered. Once again, our thanks to Rose Electrics for installing the PADs without charge; a considerable financial saving for us. Our PAD at the Southern Cooperative was activated in October 2018 and, as a result, the gentleman concerned recovered.

We shall take part in ‘Lifeboat Day’ and ‘Lights Day’ again this year and further fundraising events are being planned. Here I should like to thank Liz Watson and her fundraising sub-committee for their enthusiastic efforts; both in raising funds and spreading the word about the SCFR. I am sure the momentum will be maintained during 2019/20.

Our Responders Frank Doel, Phil Ingram and Tim Watson continue to work incredibly hard, but with 2 more Responders coming on-line their work load should ease. There is another volunteer to be trained, but it is unclear when this might be. Lives have been saved.

I should like to thank our Treasurer/Purchasing Manager for all he has done, despite illness making things more difficult. He has been a great support to me and a wise adviser.

Finally, Bernie Stevens (Treasurer) is retiring and so is Liz Watson (Lead Fundraiser). Their devotion to the SCFR over the years has been quite exceptional and, without their determination to succeed, there have been times when organisation could have failed.

I am retiring likewise and cannot emphasise enough that the support I have received from the members of the Team and the Selsey Community in general allows me to depart with the SCFR in good heart. Thank you so much.

(Dennis Collins)

Chairman

Sadly, on 14th August 2017 a much-respected Selsey gentleman died in hospital. His family decided that any funds raised should be donated to the Selsey Community First Responders and asked us to say how the money would be spent. In the event, the money raised by the family and friends was substantial; indeed, sufficient to fund a complete Public Access Defibrillator (PAD) installation. It was suggested to the family that this is how the money should be spent and they agreed. Therefore, a new PAD has been installed on the front of the public toilets at the end of Hillfield Road close to the beach. It carries a brass plaque which reads: In loving memory of Gary Byford, 20th June 1958 to 14th August 2017. ‘Continuing to help others’.

This is the first time in Selsey that a PAD has been funded in this way and we are very grateful to the family for thinking of us.

Another ‘first’ is the fixing of a PAD to a private house in a residential area. Colin Rose (Rose Electrics) has been installing all our PADs at no cost and has been a great supporter of the First Responders. He took this a stage further by asking if he could sponsor and fit a PAD security cabinet to his house. We readily agreed and said we would provide the defibrillator. Finding locations in residential areas is very difficult and does have legal implications. So, a hige thank you Colin.