Uckfield & Area Community First Responders

12/06/2026

🚑 A Productive Day on Duty 🚑

Today, Andrew and Jake have been booked on duty as Community First Responders, responding to local 999 calls and supporting our ambulance service and community whenever needed. Every call is different, but each one is an opportunity to make a difference when people need help the most.

In between responding to incidents, we have also been assessing potential locations for new Public Access Defibrillators (PADs). We are looking at where these lifesaving devices could have the biggest impact, ensuring they are accessible to as many people as possible in an emergency.

Improving access to defibrillators and providing a rapid response can help save lives, and we are proud to play our part in keeping our community safer. 💚🚑

11/06/2026

Do you fancy joining and supporting the team?

Complete the application form and get in touch with us!

We are particularly interested in people living in more rural areas of our catchment!

Ever thought about saving a life? Now’s your chance.

We’re looking for Community First Responders to join our Community Resilience team with applications open across the South East 💙

With a 999-call coming in every 30 seconds, volunteers are more vital than ever. Last year alone, CFRs attended 17,000 emergencies—often arriving first and delivering life-saving care when every second counts. 🚨

⚠ Applications close on Monday, 15 June so don’t miss out and apply now!

As a CFR, you could:

✅ Be first on scene in emergencies
✅ Provide urgent care and reassurance
✅ Support your community when it matters most

You’ll receive full training and earn a nationally recognised Level 3 First Responder qualification plus ongoing support every step of the way.

Ready to make a difference? Find out more and apply now via the links below.

CFR Kent- http://www.healthjobsuk.com/vacancy/8048768

CRF Surrey - http://www.healthjobsuk.com/vacancy/8048340

CFR Sussex - http://www.healthjobsuk.com/vacancy/8048149

10/06/2026

🚑 WHO ARE UCKFIELD & AREA CFR? 🚑

One question we often get asked is: “Are you part of the ambulance service?”

The answer is yes… and no! 😊

Our Community First Responders are trained and authorised by South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAMB) to respond to certain 999 emergencies in the local area. We volunteer our time to support the ambulance service and provide vital early care while an ambulance is on its way.

However, Uckfield & Area CFR is also a registered charity. 💙

The charity exists to support our local responders by funding additional equipment, uniforms, training opportunities, welfare support, and community projects such as public access defibrillators. The ambulance service does not fund these extras – that’s where our charity, supporters and fundraisers make a real difference.

So when you support our fundraising events, make a donation, or share our posts, you’re helping us continue supporting local responders and improving emergency care within our community.

💬 Did you know the difference before reading this post?

👍 Like and share to help others understand the role of Community First Responders in Uckfield and the surrounding areas.

08/06/2026

🚨❤️ NEW DEFIBRILLATOR INSTALLED IN UCKFIELD ❤️🚨

A new Public Access Defibrillator is now live at the Ambulance Station thanks to successful funding secured by the team! ⚡

This lifesaving device helps provide emergency coverage for:
🏥 Uckfield Community Hospital car park
🌱 Framfield Allotments
🏡 The new housing estate behind the Ambulance Station

In a cardiac arrest, every second counts. Having a defibrillator nearby can save a life.

This is hopefully the first of many defibrillators we plan to bring to Uckfield and the surrounding area in the coming years. 💚

📢 SHARE to spread awareness
💬 COMMENT if you’d like to help fundraise for your local area
👀 FOLLOW us to see what the team is up to and where we’re looking next

02/06/2026

🚑 Could You Be Our Next Community First Responder? 🚑

Have you ever thought about giving back to your local community and helping people in their time of need?

South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAMB) is currently recruiting Community First Responders (CFRs), and we’re looking for people who are passionate about making a difference across Uckfield and the surrounding areas.

Community First Responders are trained volunteers who respond to certain 999 calls in their local communities, often arriving before an ambulance to provide vital care, reassurance and support to patients and their families.

💙 What’s involved?
✅ Minimum commitment of 20 hours per month
✅ You choose when you’re available to respond
✅ Full training and ongoing support provided by SECAMB
✅ A rewarding opportunity to support your local community

To apply, you’ll need to:
🚗 Be 18 years or older
🚗 Hold a full driving licence
🚗 Have access to a vehicle

Being a CFR is one of the most rewarding volunteering roles available, but it does require dedication, professionalism and a willingness to learn. Recruitment, selection, training and ongoing management of the role are all carried out directly by SECAMB.

If you’re interested but would like to know more before applying, we’d love to hear from you! Drop us a message and we’ll put you in touch with our Team Leader, Faith, who will be happy to answer your questions and give you a real insight into what it’s like to be a Community First Responder.

👉 Apply via SECAMB:
https://www.secamb.nhs.uk/careers/vacancies/ #!/job/UK/West_Sussex/Sussex/South_East_Coast_Ambulance_Service_NHS_Foundation_Trust/Voluntary_Services/Voluntary_Services-v8048149?_ts=165

❤️ Learn new skills. Support your community. Help save lives.

26/05/2026

🚑 This May Bank Holiday weekend, our volunteer Community First Responders have been helping to keep the communities of Uckfield and the surrounding areas safer by being available to respond to local 999 calls. ❤️

While many people have been enjoying the long weekend with family, friends, BBQs and celebrations, our responders have continued giving up their own time to support SECAmb and help local patients when every minute matters. ⏱️💙

A huge thank you to every one of our volunteers for their continued dedication to the community — and thank you to everyone who supports us throughout the year. 👏

If you spot one of our responders out and about this weekend, give them a wave! 👋

#999

19/05/2026

🚨 Meet the Team Tuesday 🚨
And for our final feature… it’s Jake! 👋

Jake has been part of the Uckfield & Area Community First Responders team for 6 years, covering Uckfield, Ridgewood, Five Ashes, Maresfield, Fairwarp and surrounding rural communities. 🏡🚑

Alongside volunteering as a CFR, Jake works within the NHS and is currently in the final year of his degree, soon qualifying as an Operating Department Practitioner (ODP) 👨‍⚕️ ODPs are highly skilled healthcare professionals who work in operating theatres, caring for patients before, during and after surgery. From assisting with anaesthetics and supporting surgical teams, to providing critical care in emergencies, the role requires calmness, teamwork and quick decision making under pressure.

Jake also works as a First Aid trainer and event medic at weekends, bringing valuable experience from the operating theatre to the roadside.

When he’s not working or volunteering, you’ll usually find him out walking the family dog across the Sussex countryside 🐕🌳 or helping with a local bonfire society 🔥

Thank you for following our Meet the Team series and supporting the volunteers who give their time to help keep our community safe ❤️

👍 Follow our page, share this post and help support your local responders!

05/05/2026

🚑 Meet the Team Tuesday 🚑

This week, we’re shining a spotlight on Kirk!

Kirk has been a Community First Responder (CFR) since 2015, joining just a year after his mum, Faith. He quickly found his feet and, within two years, decided to train as a paramedic. He completed his mentorship in Nottingham before beginning his career with the North East Ambulance Service.

Kirk now works full-time as a trainer, delivering Advanced Trauma Life Support to oil rig workers across England, Scotland and Wales, as well as supporting fire services in England. He continues to work shifts with the ambulance service and provides paramedic cover at major sporting events, including superbikes and international taekwondo.

At home in East Sussex, he remains committed to volunteering as a CFR. In April, he received a Secamb ROSC certificate after helping resuscitate a cardiac arrest patient in Uckfield.

03/05/2026

🌼🚑 Wishing you all a safe and happy Bank Holiday weekend! 🚑🌼

Whatever you’ve got planned – relaxing at home, heading out with family, or enjoying time with friends – we hope it’s filled with sunshine, smiles, and good memories ☀️😊

While many are enjoying a well-earned break, some of our dedicated Community First Responders will be out on duty across the weekend, helping to keep our community safe and supporting the ambulance service when it’s needed most ❤️

If you see us out and about, don’t hesitate to say hello 👋

💬 We’d love to hear from you – what are you up to this Bank Holiday weekend? Drop it in the comments!

👍 Don’t forget to like, share, and follow our page to support your local responders and help spread awareness!

Stay safe, look after one another, and enjoy the long weekend! 🌟