Lives are being put at risk as the ambulance service stands down it’s community first responders.
Dozens of life-saving volunteers across Wiltshire are no longer being asked to attend incidents as South Western Ambulance Service attempt to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Community first responders (CFRs) attend emergencies within their local communities, often arriving before an emergency ambulance has even left the station.
On Wednesday, CFR Andy Stride who is based in Pewsey, said the stand down was “for the foreseeable future” and commented “adios CFR buddies”.
“The notes coming out don’t appear to say that [the stand down is only for about a week] but, as I am sure you are, we can’t wait to get back to it”, he added.
It’s understood West Midlands Ambulance Service stood down their responders on Monday, but they’ve since been issued with additional Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and allowed to respond again.
It is not clear when local CFRs will be able to respond to emergency calls again.
We’ve approached South Western Ambulance Service for comment.
