Tranmere Rovers are working with colleagues in the NHS and North West Ambulance Service to become the first professional football club to become a Community First Responder (“CFR”) hub for Birkenhead and are calling for volunteers to apply to join the CFR team.
When someone has a cardiac arrest or other medical emergency, speed is of the essence in getting medical assistance to them. Ambulance services work with CFRs, who are trained volunteers within the community who would be called out by the ambulance service to attend as a first responder to give life-saving treatment as quickly as possible.
The CFRs are trained in resuscitation and basic treatment of other medical emergencies and are equipped with the basic medical equipment they need to assist, including a defibrillator and oxygen.
Tranmere are looking to recruit an initial cohort of 14 individuals to join the CFR team. Successful candidates will be selected by NWAS and receive training at Prenton Park by qualified medical staff. Once fully trained and assessed by NWAS, they would indicate when they are free to be called to emergencies within Birkenhead and the surrounding areas.
Mark Palios said: “As someone who has experienced two cardiac arrests as a result of a freak football accident, I am well aware of the importance of life-saving treatment being started as quickly as possible.
“At its simplest, this scheme will get that treatment to emergencies quicker than could otherwise happen, and it will literally save lives in our local community. That is, in and of itself, a pretty good reason for Tranmere to support it and the reason why Nicola and I will both personally be applying to be CFRs.
“I cannot imagine anything more rewarding to do than to help save a life. I hope that the Club’s involvement will help to raise the profile of the scheme and, if the pilot is successful, become a model that other football clubs can follow.”
Anyone who would like to apply to be a CFR should e mail CFR@tranmererovers.co.uk for more information.