DBM Community Responder Scheme

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The DBM Community responder scheme is run and coordinated by volunteers. We have a very dedicated group who wish to help their communities when needed. 

Our volunteers work on a 24/7 

'on call' basis. 

         Types of calls we attend


Our volunteers attend 4 types of emergency calls, CARDIAC ARREST

CHOKING

CARDIAC CHEST PAIN

                                     STROKE            

While these calls are all very different, our responders are trained to treat these patients until the arrival of National Ambulance service.


Volunteers


We have over 41 volunteer responders covering the 3 towns. These volunteers are all ordinary people who have committed their valuable time to helping their communities. Our volunteers are living in a wide section of the community and are willing to help whenever needed. They are trained to a minimum level of Cardiac First Responder, with some having greater qualifications such as Occupational First aid, Emergency First Responder, Emergency Medical Technician.  

These volunteers help by providing an early response in the provision of primary life saving treatment and support to a member of their community who calls 999/112 to request an ambulance for someone suffering a sudden cardiac arrest, heart attack, choking or stroke. 

A CFR is a person who has successfully completed a PHECC (Pre Hospital Emergency Care Council) accredited Cardiac First Response course within 2 years. This course teaches each participant how to correctly perform adult, child and infant CPR, Foreign Body Airway Obstruction (choking), recognition of a stroke patient, basic pre hospital treatment for someone suffering a heart attack and aspirin administration. 

How a call works


DBM responder scheme operates 7 km radius of the post office of each of the 3 towns of Doneraile, Buttevant and Mallow. If someone within this area calls 999/112 and requests an ambulance for someone suffering from cardiac arrest, foreign body airway obstruction (choking), suspected heart attack or stroke. the National Ambulance Control Center will send a text message to the closest ambulance crew which in our case is Mallow. Simultaneously this text message is sent to the scheme coordinator. He then forwards this text to the people on call in the relevant area. 

This text contains the age, sex, chief complaint and address of the emergency.

Once the responder has acknowledged that they are attending the call the coordinator replies to ambulance control center to let the know there is a responder is en route to the call. Once the responder is on scene they then contact the coordinator again to let them know and the coordinator informs ambulance control. 

The CFR responder will treat the patient in accordance with PHECC Clinical Practice Guidelines until the ambulance arrives when they will give an accurate handover to the paramedic or advanced paramedic which will include any information gathered and treatment given. They fill out a Cardiac First Response Report Form and give a copy to the ambulance personnel. 

When the responder leaves the scene they will again inform the coordinator who will once again pass on that information on to ambulance control who will put the responder scheme free to attend other calls. 

Training

We provide 2 training nights each month. One night in Mallow and one night in Buttevant the following week. This allows responders to maintain a high skill level. We have  experienced instructors who organise and run our training nights. We also invite experts and speakers to assist and advise us.


We are currently in the process of forming a medical advisory panel. 

New Volunteers


The scheme is always on the look out for new members. 

If you would like to volunteer but do not wish to become a responder we still have a role for you. We have members who assist with administration and fundraising events who always need help and new ideas. So if you are someone who has a few hours to spare and wants to get involved in their community becoming part of our team hit the link below. 

As responders need training before they can join the roster we hold Cardiac First Response training class every few months once we have enough new members interested. 


How our scheme works


Our scheme works on a rota system with 2 responders on call 24/7 in each area. Responders generously volunteer some of their spare time to be 'on call' each week. How active a person is on the rota is down to that individual. Volunteers submit the hours they are willing to donate each week and a rota is formed and emailed out to everyone. If there are times when volunteers are not available the scheme coordinator will not accept a call from ambulance control. Thankfully DBM has not as yet been in that position thanks to our dedicated volunteers. For new responders we offer a buddy system with a more experienced member. 

For the time a responder is on call they have committed to stay with in the 7km radius and be available to respond to emergency calls. but otherwise go on as normal. If one of the people on call need to leave for time they contact the coordinator and he will arrange cover for the time needed. 

The DBM scheme has 2 kit bags operating in each of the 3 towns. These bags are passed around between responders during various shift changes. Each bag contains various first aid equipment, an ipad defibrillator, maps of the relevant area, sat nav, pocket masks and spare high visibility jackets, cardiac report forms, etc.

The scheme provides each responder with personal ID card, t-shirt with our logo, high visibility jacket/vest, pocket mask and gloves. 

Responders attend calls in their own personal car obeying the rules of the road.