What We Do.
All Healthcare Trusts are required to meet 75% of all category "A" 999 calls within 8 minutes, however, because of the logistics involved, the closest ambulance may take longer than that to arrive. A community responder responds within their own community, therefore in theory at least, should be "on-scene" within the 8 minutes. It is recognised that the first 8 minutes of certain life threatening incidents are paramount to full recovery, more than 8 minutes and the patients chances of a full recovery reduce dramatically.
To précis our remit, we "assist" the Ambulance service with emergency 999 calls (or 112 if you are that way inclined). Whilst on duty we await a call from the Ambulance Control Centre, this call will inform us of the location of the patient and the reported complaint. As the person will be in our area, we invariably arrive on scene first; this results in us having to assess the complaint and start any treatment that may be necessary and within our capabilities. Once the professional medic arrives, we hand over our findings and then take a "back seat"; but remain on hand should we be of any further help.
The type of ailments that we are called to are exactly the same as a professional ambulance person, the only things we are currently unable to attend are motorway accidents and calls to the local prison.