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Post by shockittomebaby2 on Apr 4, 2009 10:25:34 GMT
I would be interested in knowing what cfr thoughts are on having blue lights for responding to cardaic arrests
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Post by eastmidscfr on Apr 4, 2009 10:51:48 GMT
A tricky subject this one. I think that there should be a driving coursed specifically for first responders. If you pass then it should be allowed.
We all know each second counts and during busy periods it could easily be the difference between someone dieing or getting there in time.
If there are any responders that are involved in anything that could help this, I think we should get together and get something in place!
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Post by ambervalleycfr on Apr 4, 2009 22:58:56 GMT
A very tricky subject. The National Forum for CFRs which is basically made up of the Community Defib Officers (or other representative) from all Trusts have deemed this unnecessary, as well as very expensive.
Plus:-
- what blues and twos would CFRs have? - who would fit it? - who would pay for it? - persoanl car or group car? - who will insure it?
There are a million and one 'issues' with driving on blue lights. I don't think CFRs shouldn't have Bs & Ts. Some of the guys n gals who drive for the local Ambulance Trust are a liaility let alone someone who rarely does it... is it worth the risk? The idea of CFRs is purely that... they are in the community.
This subject has been banded around other forums for a long time, and still there is a differing opinion. In my own opinion, I don't think you will ever get Trust's to support B's n T's for CFRs.
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Post by marjar on Apr 6, 2009 13:13:25 GMT
B n 2s are not the whole answer but neither is having less visibility than the average driving school or taxi cab.
We must try to get a more acceptable and consistent solution.
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johne
New Member
Posts: 5
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Post by johne on Apr 6, 2009 22:02:30 GMT
Tend to agree with marjar, having worked for an Ambulance service in a past life Blues and twos do not mean you will get there any faster, far better to educate the public as to what a CFR is and does. Tell that to the person the other night doing 20mph who tryed to block me when I went to overtake and that was with Magnetic signs on.
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Post by the welsh one on Apr 8, 2009 15:17:26 GMT
this is one big problem like many of you, the group i am in has to get through south london on a rush hour, blues and two's would be good but, if so maybe a group car. ONE HELL OF A LOT OF FUND RAISING TO KEEP ON THE ROAD. educate the public as to what CFR is all about
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Post by annandamide on Apr 11, 2009 7:36:48 GMT
I have to agree with ambervalleycfr. We have to remember why we are here. We also need to remember that if anything went wrong and we were involved in an accident, the ambulance service would not cover us, or give us compensation. There is no need for us to have blue lights, we should be responding to incidents around the corner in essence. If we get there as soon as we can we are doing as much as we can and should be proud of that.
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johne
New Member
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Post by johne on Apr 13, 2009 11:36:16 GMT
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Post by annandamide on Apr 13, 2009 13:37:39 GMT
Good old BWTS. Lol!
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Post by pulsey on Apr 13, 2009 16:39:12 GMT
How very dare you! BWTS, pah. I originally posted that on the A999 Forum, although a BWTS bod (Doofus) picked it up and ran it, taking in a few at the time. Still, one year on, I'm pleased it's still making people chuckle. Slightly scary, though is that it is top dog on Google for 'community responders and blue lights' or permutations thereof and my stats show that there is a steady stream of people googling those terms. Andy
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Post by annandamide on Apr 13, 2009 17:00:11 GMT
My apologies and all credit to you, very well done! :-) You had me for a second. Lol.
Anna
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avfr6
New Member
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Post by avfr6 on Apr 17, 2009 21:28:40 GMT
I have to agree with ambervalleycfr. We have to remember why we are here. We also need to remember that if anything went wrong and we were involved in an accident, the ambulance service would not cover us, or give us compensation. There is no need for us to have blue lights, we should be responding to incidents around the corner in essence. If we get there as soon as we can we are doing as much as we can and should be proud of that. I think to say that we are responding to incidents "just around the corner" is a bit naive. I hardly ever get called out to a casualty less than a mile away and have been called to go up to 5 miles. Having said that I don't think blue lights are necessarily the answer. I definitely think we should be more visible though, then maybe people would be more co-operative................................................(just got a call to a breathing difficulty whilst in the middle of writing this) I don't really want to have to sit watching someone blocking the road while they try and park and I am trying to get to a potentially life threatening call.
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Post by annandamide on Apr 21, 2009 18:33:10 GMT
When saying 'just around the corner' I was speaking figuratively. I too rarely get a call less than 3 or 4 miles away and have attended calls much further away than that. My point is that if we get there as soon as we can, cutting the waiting time, then we are helping and possibly making a positive difference in a life or death situation. It is hugely frustrating having to wait for other vehicles, (usually tractors around here!) to get out of the way, but I agree, blue lights are not an option.
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Post by mikey on Apr 23, 2009 11:06:58 GMT
Hi All, I'm a former ambulance service member and then first responder. I raised this issue many years ago, most of my FR calls where to rural locations and villages and mainly at night. The main problem I had was getting the household to know I was there (quite often they are looking out the window for flashing lights). The suggestion I raised (I was by the way B&T trained having completed D1 & D2 courses, but not in my own car) was what about using GREEN Lights in the same way as the emergency doctors use. No Sirens your calls should only be a few miles away, beep your horn and hopefully! the driver should see your flashing green light. The green light also then acts as a beacon to the responding ambulance, especially in the more rural areas. This is more likely to be receptive to the Ambulance service and to the police (who ultimately give you the right to use) , the green light is not going to be confused with a police car for one the conditions of using could be set as driving in accordance with the highway code but the light will be used as a 'marker' to identify you as a first responder and to assist the responding ambulance in locating the house. I seem to recall back in my ambulance days (it was some time ago so don't quote me) that the Chief Constable of our local police force was happy with Doctors (mainly the few BASICS doctors and the emergency out of hours doctors) using Green lights without needing to complete the NHS emergency driving course, as long as they were made aware that they drove within their limits and followed the highway code!. Those BASICS doctors wanting to drive on B&T's (we had a couple in fully marked up Doctors cars) HAD to complete the emergency driving course. Some food for thought
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Post by marjar on Apr 23, 2009 11:25:13 GMT
Hi Mikey, that sounds an emminently sensible approach and would certainly improve the current situation. Are people aware of the opposite situation where some Funeral processions are now using purple flashing lights to indicate their often slow convoy? It all adds to the debate.
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