More vital life saving equipment available

Billingshurst Emergency Assistance Team (BEAT) is a local group of volunteer Community First Responders, who work with the Ambulance Service within the community in which they live or work.
By The Newsroom
Published 11th Nov 2014, 09:56 BST
BEAT responders make more life saving equipment available to the public in Billingshurst and the surrounding areas SUS-140511-095545001BEAT responders make more life saving equipment available to the public in Billingshurst and the surrounding areas SUS-140511-095545001
BEAT responders make more life saving equipment available to the public in Billingshurst and the surrounding areas SUS-140511-095545001

They are all trained by the South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb) and are called to attend specific 999 calls, when they can often arrive prior to an ambulance and provide emergency first aid care to those in need.

BEAT Responders have been working with community partners to make more life saving equipment available in Billingshurst and the surrounding villages.

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The most recent improvement has made a Public Access Defibrillator (PAD Site) available to the public 24/7 at Billingshurst Railway Station.

Mr. Colin Chard, Southern Railway Station Group Manager, was very proactive in enabling the siting of the PAD Site and it is now located, and clearly signposted, on the northbound platform (ticket office side). We now have seven PAD sites within our area that are available to the public 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

“Enabling everyone in the community, whether they have first aid skills or not, to have access to a defibrillator in the case of a cardiac arrest can seriously increase the chances of survival,” said Hannah Alsbury-Morris, Team Leader of BEAT.

“We are also looking for further volunteers to help us provide life saving skills, and want to hear from anyone interested in joining the team as well as anybody wishing to gain a better understanding of emergency first aid.”

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BEAT Responders are proud to offer British Heart Foundation (BHF) HeartStart courses to both local businesses and the community. If you would like more information on either becoming a Community First Responder or would like to attend a BHF HeartStart course please contact us today.

BEAT is a registered charity (1119641) and relies heavily on donations from members of the public, local businesses, or other organisations; it costs around £2,000 to set up a PAD site and to supply emergency kits to new responders.

For more information about the scheme, or to get in touch, please contact Hannah T: 07930 416835 and visit www.beatresponders.org.uk

Report and picture contributed by BEAT Responders.

Related topics:Ambulance serviceSouth East Coast Ambulance Service