Scottish Ambulance Service Community First Responders 

Burnmouth - Cockburnspath - Coldingham - Dunbar - Eyemouth

About Us

Our team of volunteer first responders is dispatched by the Scottish Ambulance Service to attend certain types of emergency calls. Our aim is to reach potential life-threatening emergencies in the first vital minutes, help stabilise patients, and provide appropriate treatment until the ambulance crew arrives.

Looking after 32 Public Access Defibrillators across our area of operation, we ensure these devices are registered on the circuit and ready to be accessed when required. 

Additionally, we deliver FREE CPR and Defibrillator Awareness Sessions to members of the public and community groups.

Click here to DONATE NOW


Services

Responding to 999 Calls


We are disatched by the Scottish Ambulance Service to attend 999 emergencies. Based in the community, we are able to reach patients prior to the arrival of the nearest available ambulance resource allowing treatment to commence as quickly as possible. This rapid response can improve the outcome for a critically ill patients such as those in cardiac arrest.


Typical emergencies attended by our responders include:

Allergic Reactions

Cardiac Arrest

Chest Pain

Choking 

Diabetic Problems

Difficulty in Breathing

Heart Problems

Seizure

Stroke

Unconscious / Collapse

CPR & AED Awareness Sessions


We deliver FREE CPR & Defibrillator awareness sessions to members of the public and community groups in the following areas:

Burnmouth

Cockburnspath

Coldingham

Dunbar

Eyemouth


Sessions include the following skills:

Dealing with an unconscious casualty who is breathing normally

Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

Use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED)

Dealing with a Choking casualty





Public Access Defibrillator Management


We manage and maintain 32 PADs across our area of operation. All Public Access Defibrillators purchased, installed and maintained by us are registered with The Circuit. 

The Circuit is a national defibrillator network, which provides the NHS ambulance services with vital information about defibrillators across the UK so that in those crucial moments after a cardiac arrest, they can be accessed quickly to help save lives.

 

Meet the Team

Christine Ritchie 

First Responder - Eyemouth

Trustee

Dan Parkin

First Responder - Dunbar

Georgia Giacopazzi

First Responder - Eyemouth 


John Montgomery

First Responder - Dunbar

Group Coordinator 

Trustee

Judy Newton

Trustee

Leanne Gillie

First Responder- Eyemouth

Trustee

Martin Galloway

First Responder - Eyemouth 

Sam Grieve

Scottish Ambulance Service Representative

Join Us! 

We are currently recruiting new responders in Burnmouth, Cockburnspath, Coldingham, Dunbar, and Eyemouth. Full training is provided and you don't need to give a huge time commitment. (Min 8 hours per month)

To become a volunteer First Responder you must be:

  • at least 18 years old
  • have a full driving license with a maximum of three penalty points
  • able to demonstrate and maintain a level of fitness to meet the role
  • an effective communicator with good interpersonal skills
  • able to demonstrate logical approach
  • work under pressure, yet stay calm
  • have a desire to learn
  • reside or work in the area in which the scheme is based
  • able to respond without delay to incidents
  • complete a criminal records check (PVG)
  • have some first aid knowledge (not essential)
  • long term commitment to the role

Call or text John on 0787 494 3409 for further information. 

You can also support our work by clicking here to DONATE

Do you know where your nearest Public Access Defibrillator (PAD) is located?

In an emergency, always call 999. The ambulance call handler will guide you to the nearest available defibrillator and provide an access code if one is required.

DefibFinder Tool - Find the defibrillators nearest you by clicking HERE. 

Do you know CPR?

GoodSAM is a free global smart phone app that alerts members of the public who know how to perform Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) to let them know when someone near by is in cardiac arrest. This allows them to go the aid of that person and provide lifesaving assistance prior to emergency services arriving. 

Find out more HERE.

Photo Gallery

Our Sponsors & Supporters 

Contact Us! 



Community First Responders - 

East Berwickshire & Dunbar Area

coordinator@firstrespondersebd.org.uk

https://www.facebook.com/EastBerwickshireAndDunbarAreaCFRS/

East Berwickshire & Dunbar Area Community First Responders