The emergency medical services available to Harpenden residents have been given a welcome boost with the appointment of three Community First Responders (CFRs). Their role is to provide crucial emergency medical assistance before the arrival of an ambulance.

Rotary in Harpenden have enhanced the CFRs’ kit by supplying them with a much-needed emergency lifting chair.

The three CFRs, who live or work in Harpenden, have been trained by the East of England Ambulance Trust but rely heavily on local community support to buy equipment. This includes a defibrillator, dispatch phone and observation kit to assist with getting a patient’s vital signs.

Vivienne Ford, co-ordinator of the Harpenden CFR team, said: “The Raizer lifting chair, costing £4,115, can be easily assembled by a single team member. It is designed to safely lift anyone who has suffered a minor or no-injury fall and discharge them on scene without attendance from the ambulance service, so preventing the physical and psychological issues caused by ‘long lie’ falls, such as dehydration, muscle and tissue damage, hypothermia and fear of falling.

“The Raizer not only helps our patients but also frees ambulance crews for more urgent emergency calls elsewhere,” Vivienne added.

Watch the chair being used in action in this video.