A group of dedicated volunteers known as the Forres Community First Responders (FCFR) is making significant strides in emergency care thanks to a grant of £1,500 from the Tesco Community Fund. This funding will enhance their ability to provide essential services to the local community, supporting the Scottish Ambulance Service in urgent situations.
The FCFR, which began operations in the summer of 2024, covers a wide area from Forres to the outskirts of Elgin and Nairn, including Kinloss, Findhorn, Burghead, Rafford, Dallas, Dyke, and Broom of Moy. According to Julie Inglis, a spokeswoman for the group, the grant not only provides vital financial support but also raises awareness within the community. “The support from Tesco has given us a great boost. It’s great to see local residents becoming more aware of the scheme and getting behind us,” she stated.
FCFR volunteers respond to emergency calls from the Scottish Ambulance Service, providing immediate care until professional medical teams arrive. Their capabilities include basic life support measures such as monitoring blood pressure, oxygen levels, and temperatures, as well as collecting medical histories to assist in treatment decisions. Team members are always prepared to respond from various locations within the area, equipped with medical bags that improve patients’ chances of survival during critical health crises such as cardiac arrests or strokes.
In their first full year of operations, the FCFR logged an impressive total of 1,127 hours of volunteer service. The group currently consists of 11 fully trained volunteers, who sign up for duty whenever possible. “We are all committed to doing as much as we can,” said Inglis, highlighting the dedication of the team.
The primary expenditure for the FCFR is also its most crucial asset: their medical equipment bags. Currently, the group owns three such bags, each containing emergency medical supplies including a defibrillator. The cost of each bag is approximately £2,000. “Ideally, each responder would have their own,” Inglis explained, noting that they currently share the bags. “For now, it’s manageable. Part of our long-term plan is to increase the number so we no longer need to share them.”
Training is another significant investment for the FCFR. Once qualified, responders are required to attend ongoing training sessions to keep their skills sharp. Regular refresher courses on CPR, including techniques such as mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and chest compressions, are essential for maintaining readiness. The Tesco funding will also contribute to acquiring training mannequins in adult, child, and baby sizes, which are vital for effective skill development.
Inglis mentioned that the FCFR continues to conduct training sessions at K’s Coffee Shop located at 6 Falconer Avenue, which has provided invaluable support to the group. “K’s have been a wonderful support,” she added.
For more information about the Forres Community First Responders and their initiatives, residents can visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/p/Forres-CFRs-61561670707003/. The continued support from the community and organizations like Tesco is crucial in enabling these volunteers to save lives and enhance emergency care in their area.
