Both CFR’s and CWR’s are issues with uniform and equipment by WAST that are used during their ‘on-call’ volunteering shifts with the type of equipment dependant of whether we are responding as CFR’s or CWR’s (see below).  

We are allocated to appropriate 999 calls by Ambulance Control, with the intention of preserving life and/or providing emergency treatment pending the arrival of clinical WAST staff such as Paramedics or EMT (Emergency Medical Technicians).

COMMUNITY FIRST RESPONDERS - When a 999 call is made, Community First Responders are alerted by one of WAST‘s three Clinical Control Centres (CCC) and are sent to specific types of calls in their local areas, often attending the scene of an emergency within a few minutes providing essential care until a WAST clinician, such as a Paramedic or EMT (Emergency Medical Technician, reaches the scene. The types of calls that CFR’s attend are many and varied ranging from ‘non-injury falls’ and fractures through to life threatening situations such as suspected breathing difficulties, stroke cases, choking, significant bleeding, heart attacks and cardiac arrests.

The equipment a CFR carries include an Automatated External Defibrillator (AED), oxygen, various face masks and tubes to support oxygen therapy, airway management devices for use in instances such as cardic arrests, pain relief, tourniquets and bandages for major bleeds etc. as well as equipment for general medical observations including an eletronic thermometer, blood pressure measuring, oxygen saturation monitor and a blood sugar monitor.  They may also carry a portable 'Manger' lifting device to assit with patients who have fallen and unable to get up.

COMMUNITY WELFARE RESPONDERS - CWR’s are also allocated to calls by Ambulance Control but have a smaller 'scope of practice'.  Whilst a CWR would be allocated to life threatening incidents such as cardiac arrest they are used in the main to take initial sets of observations and welfare checks on the patient, including heart rate and oxygen levels.  These are then reported back to clinicians in Ambulance Control Rooms and this up-to-the-minute information helps the clinician to determine the most appropriate treatment pathway for the patient. This could involve dispatching an ambulance, signposting the patient to their GP or to alternative healthcare options.  

CWR's play a key role in ensuring that patients receive the right advice and care, in the right place, every time. Whilst there is no requirement to do so CWR’s can, with additional training, convert to a CFR . 

As well as responding to medical emergencies in support of WAST we also carry out a number of community based activities, including the support and maintenance and of a network of some 18 Public Access Defibrillators (PAD) within Porthcawl, running free CPR and Defibrillator awareness and practice sessions, plus we attend several local community events each year. 

For current information on the PAD network we support and our community based activities please visit our FaceBook page by clicking on the Facebook icon below.

"Supporting the Welsh Ambulance Service by providing emergency medical care in the community"