2022 has been a remarkable year for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, being the first British monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee following 70 years of loyal service to her country.
The people of Britain and the Commonwealth came out in their millions in acts of gratitude and to mark this incredible achievement by holding countrywide celebrations.
But a Jubilee has also historically been an event which has been considered an opportunity to recognise other individuals who have dedicated their time to public service.
Alongside dozens of other eligible healthcare staff that have been recognised in this year’s Platinum Jubilee, Community First Responders (CFR) who volunteer for the Ambulance Service have also been included.
It was announced that CFRs and frontline ambulance staff who had completed a full 5 years of voluntary service by the beginning of February this year would also receive one of the prestigious Platinum Jubilee medals being issued. Those who have volunteered for less time were to receive a commemorative Platinum Jubilee coin.
As an active and long-running Community First Responder team, Felixstowe saw some of its long-service CFRs lined up to receive their befitting award.
Out of the group Dan Jacobs, Chris Strang, Shendi Lilley and Gemma Lambert were awarded the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee medal from The East of England Ambulance Service Community Partnerships Manager, Jonathan Needle.
On the group’s collective years of commitment to this voluntary service Jonathan commented: “This is a fantastic award recognising everyone that gives up their free time for the benefit of their community. I am very proud that we have a number of longstanding volunteers within the Felixstowe CFR group that got awarded the Queens jubilee medal. It was an honour to present it to them.”
Also did you know our team has attended 116 emergencies up to June this year?
Hopefully you or a loved one have never had the need to meet one of the Felixstowe team of Community First Responders (CFR) in your own home, but we’re here if that need ever arises.
Community First Responders are volunteers who are trained by the East of England Ambulance Trust. The extensive training they receive prepares them to attend certain types of emergency calls in and around the areas where they live or work. Their aim is to reach a potentially life-threatening emergency in the first vital minutes before the ambulance crew arrives.
Felixstowe is fortunate to have a very active and dedicated CFR group who regularly go on call from their homes and in some instances from their workplace where permitted. Living and working within the town means if despatched they are able to arrive at an emergency within a very short time. Once on scene their role is to help stabilise the patient and provide the appropriate care until the more highly skilled ambulance crew arrives on scene to take over the treatment.
Besides attending emergencies, our CFRs can attend local events and talks to provide information and demonstrations on the work they do and basic life saving skills. If you have an
event coming up and would like us there then please, just get in touch.
So far this year up until June, your team of CFRs have attended and been first on-scene for 116 emergencies in Felixstowe with chest pain, cardiac/respiratory arrest, falls and breathing difficulties as the leading cause for the 999 call.
The team is often at events fundraising for the Felixstowe group and the CFRs are more than happy to talk and tell you about the work we do. So please do come and have a chat if you see one of us.