Witham Community First Responders

10/10/2026

❤️ RESTART A HEART WEEK — COULD YOU SAVE A LIFE?

October is Restart a Heart month, with Restart a Heart Day on 16 October 2026.

As a Community First Responder, I cannot stress enough how important it is for ordinary people to learn CPR.

A cardiac arrest can happen to anyone, anywhere. When someone's heart stops, every second counts. Ambulance crews do an incredible job, but they cannot always be there immediately. What happens in those first few minutes can make the difference between life and death.

You don't need to be a medical professional to save a life.

Here are three things everyone should know:

* Recognise it. If someone is unresponsive and not breathing normally, suspect a cardiac arrest.

* Call 999. Put the phone on speaker and follow the call handler's instructions.

* Start CPR and find a defibrillator. Push hard and fast in the centre of the chest. Get someone to bring an AED and follow its voice instructions.

Don't be afraid of getting it wrong. Doing something is far better than doing nothing. The emergency call handler will guide you through what to do.

Restart a Heart is led by Resuscitation Council UK to help more people learn CPR and improve survival after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

Take a few minutes this month to learn the basics, find your nearest public-access defibrillator and encourage your family to do the same.

One day, the life you save could be someone you love.

Learn more and find CPR training resources here:
[https://www.resus.org.uk/get-involved/restart-heart-day](https://www.resus.org.uk/get-involved/restart-heart-day)

23/09/2026

MEET YOUR CFR – GUY

Next up in our “Meet Your CFR” series is Guy.

Some of you may recognise him — and there’s a good chance you’ve either heard him or seen him entertaining the kids!

Guy spent 25 years as a DJ, followed by 10 years as a children’s entertainer, so he’s certainly no stranger to meeting people and keeping a crowd entertained.

These days, Guy has moved into the world of Close Protection, but decided to add something completely different to the mix — becoming a Community First Responder.

So why did he become a CFR?

Quite simply, he enjoys meeting people, helping people and being thrown in at the deep end!

Every 999 call is different, and you never quite know what situation you’re going to walk into. Guy enjoys the challenge of having to think on his feet, deal with the unexpected and, most importantly, help someone when they need it most.

And if you thought that was enough…

Crazy fact about Guy: he’s also a pilot!

Clearly, Guy isn't someone who likes sitting around doing nothing!

We're really pleased to have him as part of the Witham CFR team.

Next time you see Guy out responding or around the community, give him a wave — just preferably not when he's rushing to a 999 call!

#999

23/09/2026

You might see us around Witham and not realise what we're doing.

Witham Community First Responders are volunteers who respond to emergency 999 calls on behalf of the East of England Ambulance Service.

Unlike an ambulance, we don't drive an ambulance — we use our own cars to respond to emergency calls.

Our vehicles have various CFR identification, markings or notices on or inside them, so you may spot one parked up in the community or travelling to an emergency.

Because we're local, we can often be first on scene, sometimes arriving before an ambulance.

Those first few minutes can make a real difference.

We carry emergency equipment and are trained to assess patients, provide CPR, use an AED, manage serious bleeding and provide immediate care while the ambulance crew is on their way.

We're not replacing ambulance crews. We're there to bridge those crucial first minutes until they arrive.

So, if you see one of our CFR vehicles responding to a call, please give us room and move out of the way where it is safe to do so.

That few seconds you give us could help us reach someone who needs us.

We're local. We're volunteers. And we're there when we're needed.

#999

20/07/2026

04/07/2026

Wondering what to do on this sunny Saturday?

Pop down to Holy Family School, Witham, where you can not only have fun with the school event but also learn some life saving skills!

We are here until 3pm.

Be good to see you there!

30/06/2026

🚨 We remain under significant pressure

We're continuing to experience very high demand, and many of our ambulance crews are delayed while waiting to hand over patients at hospitals.

☎️ Please only call 999 in a serious or life-threatening emergency.
For urgent health advice or medical help that is not life-threatening, visit 111.nhs.uk or call 111.

If you are waiting for an ambulance, please only call us back if: the patient's condition changes or worsens; or you no longer need an ambulance

Every unnecessary call can delay help reaching someone in urgent need.

Thank you for your patience, understanding and support as we work to help those who need us most.

29/06/2026

🚨 We are currently extremely busy

We're experiencing a high number of calls and many of our ambulances are waiting to hand over patients at hospital.

🤳 Please only call 999 for serious or life-threatening emergencies. For anything else use https://111.nhs.uk/ or call 111.

🕘 If waiting for an ambulance, only call back if the patient's condition changes, or you no longer need the ambulance.

Thank you for helping us ensure we get to those who need us.

22/05/2026

🌡️ HEATWAVE SAFETY – KNOW THE SIGNS OF SUN STROKE 🌡️

Hot weather can quickly become dangerous, especially for children, older adults, and vulnerable people. Sun stroke (heat stroke) is a medical emergency and needs fast action.

🚨 Signs of sun stroke:
• High temperature
• Hot, dry skin or excessive sweating
• Dizziness or confusion
• Headache
• Nausea or vomiting
• Collapse or unconsciousness

✅ What to do:
• Move them to a cool or shaded place
• Remove excess clothing
• Cool the body with wet cloths, cool water, or a fan
• Give small sips of water ONLY if fully conscious
• Call emergency services immediately if symptoms are severe or they become unresponsive

☀️ Prevention tips:
• Drink plenty of water
• Avoid peak heat (11am–4pm)
• Wear light clothing and stay in the shade
• Check on elderly neighbours and vulnerable people

Stay safe, stay hydrated, and look after each other during the heatwave. 💛

21/05/2026

Patient assessment is one of the most important skills for any CFR.

A calm, structured assessment helps identify life-threatening conditions early, supports effective handovers, and ensures patients receive the right care quickly. From checking airway and breathing to observing skin colour, responsiveness, and vital signs — every detail matters.

Good assessment isn’t just about following a checklist; it’s about communication, reassurance, and clinical awareness under pressure.

As CFRs, we are often first on scene. The quality of our assessment can make a real difference in patient outcomes.

Stay calm. Stay observant. Trust your training. 🚑

(This was training not a real patient)

16/05/2026

Please only call us back on 999 if the patient's condition changes, or you no longer need an ambulance as you can make your own way to a hospital or treatment centre.

We know waiting can be worrying, but please be assured that we are prioritising the people who need us most.

If your emergency is not serious or life-threatening and requiring immediate treatment or urgent assessment, we usually aim to be with you in 2-3 hours but there may be times when that wait can be significantly longer.