Sheffield Homes Wardens to respond to Ambulance Service calls

Following training sessions with Yorkshire Ambulance Service (YAS), a Sheffield Homes Neighbourhood Wardens Team is the first in South Yorkshire to be qualified to work as 'Community First Responders' for the Ambulance Service.

 

In this new pilot project, Sheffield Homes Wardens working in the Manor, Castle and Richmond area of Sheffield, are now fully trained to provide emergency care in the areas in which they patrol.

 

As Community First Responders, the Ambulance Service can call on Wardens to attend to members of the community who are experiencing chest pain, having difficulty breathing, are unconscious or have collapsed.  The Team can provide emergency care through Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), administer oxygen or use an Automated External Defibrillator until the ambulance arrives.

 

John Hosey, Assistant Director of Housing Management at Sheffield Homes said, “Every second counts when people need to contact the emergency services, so we are delighted to be able to offer this level of support to Yorkshire Ambulance Service.  This is an exciting new initiative for Sheffield Homes that can make a real difference to a person’s life, and goes above and beyond the service that our Wardens have traditionally offered.  We are hoping that if this pilot is successful, that we can expand the number of Wardens teams providing emergency services support across Sheffield.”

 

Emma Scott, Community Defibrillation Officer for YAS said, “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Sheffield Homes. We’re certain that this pilot will be a great success and hope to be able to roll the scheme out to other Sheffield neighbourhoods. We’re pleased that local people will be able to receive emergency treatment whilst an ambulance is on its way.”

 

Neighbourhood Wardens work with local residents and other organisations to improve the quality of life for everyone in local communities.  They get involved in a wide range of initiatives and projects to help deter and tackle anti-social behaviour; report many environmental issues such as graffiti, fly-tipping, litter, vandalism and general repairs; and help bring the community closer together by working with local schools and community groups.