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Beds and Herts volunteer emergency responder scheme expands

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Newly-recruited volunteer responders attended an induction at Welwyn Garden City ambulance station in December. Image credit: EEAST.

A volunteer emergency response scheme in Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire has expanded, adding a new vehicle and more volunteers.

The Beds and Herts Emergency Critical Care Scheme (BHECCS), a volunteer-run charity, has been working with the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST) since March 2024. Volunteers help with serious medical emergencies like cardiac arrests and traumatic injuries.

Previously, there was one team in Hemel Hempstead. A second team has been added in Welwyn Garden City, with 18 new volunteers and a new vehicle. Volunteers come from various backgrounds, including community first responders, police officers, and firefighters.

“The expansion will help get medical responders to emergencies faster, improving outcomes for patients. Since the scheme started, BHECCS volunteers have attended over 530 calls, often arriving before ambulances.

“In a life-threatening medical emergency, the first few minutes are vital, and the sooner we can get medically trained responders on scene to start delivering vital interventions, the better for our patients.”

Tom Barker, Head of Collaborative Response at EEAST.

Since March 2024, when the scheme began, BHECCS volunteer responders have attended over 530 calls – arriving first on the scene ahead of an ambulance in 84% of those incidents. Over 3,200 individual volunteer hours have been logged since the scheme began

Tom Ward, vice chair of BHECCS, said: “We are thrilled to be working closely with the East of England Ambulance Service in our emergency responder pilot scheme. We were amazed at the number of people who wanted to volunteer for us, and the huge variety of backgrounds they came from.

“We have successfully recruited a further 18 volunteers to form this second team based in Welwyn Garden City, and since December they have already been out and about assisting EEAST with delivering life-saving care. I am proud of everyone involved in this partnership, which is making a difference in people’s lives.”

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