Community First Responder

West Midlands Ambulance Service University NHS Foundation Trust; Bromsgrove, Worcester, Coventry, Manchester; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading ambulance service provider in the UK is seeking volunteers as Community First Responders. As a CFR, you'll respond to emergency calls, provide initial care to patients, and engage in community activities. Applicants must have a good education standard, a full UK driving licence, and be willing to commit at least 4 hours weekly. This is an unpaid volunteering role that requires mandatory training and background checks.

Qualifications

• Full clean UK driving licence (held for a minimum of 12 months) with no more than 6 penalty points.
• Must be willing to respond in schemes' own response vehicles.
• Ability to commit to a minimum of 4 hours per week.

Responsibilities

• Respond to emergency calls in a CFR scheme vehicle.
• Provide first aid until the arrival of a paramedic.
• Support local schemes through community engagement.

Skills

Strong communication skills

Good physical fitness

Basic IT skills

Education

Good all-round standard of education

Job description

Overview

West Midlands Ambulance Service University NHS Foundation Trust (WMAS) invites individuals to join our Community First Responders (CFRs).

The closing date is 11 January 2026

Exciting volunteering opportunities have arisen within West Midlands Ambulance Service University NHS Foundation Trust (WMAS) for individuals wishing to join our growing team of Community First Responders (CFRs).

We welcome applicants from throughout the West Midlands; however, we are particularly interested in people from the following areas:

STOKE & STAFFORDSHIRE

• Uttoxeter
• Churnet Valley
• Wetton and Alstonefield
• Mayfield and Ellastone
• Dane Valley
• Fulford and district
• Keele
• Eccleshall
• Hixon
• Abbots Bromley
• Gnosall
• Wheaton Aston
• Brewood
• Burton
• Broseley

COVENTRY & WARWICKSHIRE

• Alcester
• Henley
• North Warwickshire
• Warwickshire Hearts
• Shipston on Stour
• Red Horse Vale
• Rugby and Leam Valley

SHROPSHIRE

• Newport
• Much Wenlock
• Cleobury Mortimer
• Bishops Castle
• Clun
• North Shropshire

WORCESTERSHIRE

• North East Worcestershire
• Wyre Forest

HEREFORDSHIRE

• Bromyard
• Kington

CFRs are trained volunteers from the local community who respond to 999 calls and deliver basic life support and initial care to a patient on scene until the arrival of an emergency ambulance.

Main duties of the job

As a Volunteer Community First Responder (CFR), you will be expected to complete a minimum of 4 hours per week (208 hours per year). You will respond to 999 emergency calls in a CFR scheme vehicle on behalf of the Trust, providing first aid until the arrival of a paramedic or ambulance crew.

Applicants should have a good all-round standard of education, basic IT skills, strong communication skills, and a good level of physical fitness to meet the demands of the role. You must hold a full UK driving licence for at least 1 year with no more than 6 penalty points.

In addition to emergency response, CFRs support their local schemes through community engagement such as fundraising and promoting CPR and defibrillator awareness.

Shortlisting will be based on the information provided in your application form and the availability of positions within supporting schemes. Please ensure you include your full postcode and preferred local CFR scheme. Applicants must live in, or have good local knowledge of the area they will serve and will be affiliated with a local scheme as directed by the Trust.

Interviews will be in person at ambulance hubs late Jan and Feb. Successful applicants will attend a mandatory 8-day face-to-face course at the National Academy, Oldbury during 2026, supported by mentor shifts alongside experienced CFRs. You will also attend annual updates each year. This is a voluntary, unpaid role and all offers are subject to standard pre-placement checks.

About us

West Midlands Ambulance Service positively welcomes diversity and aims to be a truly inclusive place to work. We are looking for self-motivated, enthusiastic people from all backgrounds that care about making a difference.

The Trust is currently under-represented in terms of people from BME backgrounds and welcomes applicants from these communities. Selection will be on a basis of merit. The Trust has achieved the status of a Disability Confident Leader and guarantees to invite to assessment applicants who meet the criteria for the job vacancy. To ensure the diversity of the workforce and understand the differing needs of our communities, the Trust is committed to the principles of PositiveAction. If you wish to discuss adjustments that you may need for the role or the assessment process prior to your application, then please do not hesitate to contact the recruitment team.

The Trust is proud to support our Armed Forces community and have signed up to the Step Into Health initiative. We welcome applications from Armed Forces Veterans and Service leavers.

This position involves a regulated activity and therefore will require an Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service check. The disclosure will, where appropriate to the role, include information against the Independent Safeguarding Authority barred lists for working with children, adults or both.

Applicants who are shortlisted will be contacted directly by the Community Response Team.

Job responsibilities

The role and responsibilities of a Community First Responder (CFR)

To attend emergency calls and provide care to patients within the defined call out criteria for their scope of practice when activated by Emergency Operations Centre (EOC).

CFRs are entitled to decline any incident they are requested to attend on the basis of their dynamic risk assessment.

CFRs must hand over patient information to an ambulance resource upon their arrival.

To have a calm and confident approach, which will provide reassurance to both the patient and their relatives.

Always adopt a professional approach and adhere to code of conduct whilst representing WMAS Trust.

To use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and other Trust approved equipment when necessary.

Complete paperwork/report as appropriate e.g. Electronic Patient Report Form (EPRF), incident form (irs), if required.

Will be required to attend a mandatory annual post qualification update course and any additional training course requirements for that year.

Communicate with Trust Liaison Volunteer (TLV) on a minimum of a monthly basis.

Adhere to CFR related WMAS Trust policies and procedures.

Adhere to patient confidentiality at all times.

Notify Community Response Manager (CRM) of any identified potential risks, hazards or incidents for appropriate reporting.

When tasked to an emergency a CFR must adhere to the Road Traffic Regulation Act, 1984 at all times and do not have the right to claim exemptions.

Identify and refer Safeguarding issues in line with the Safeguarding procedure.

Person Specification

Location

• Please state your current FULL postcode
• What is your local CFR Scheme name?

Qualifications

• Good all round education

Experience

• Full clean, manual UK driving licence (held for a minimum of 12 months) with no more than 6 penalty points
• Must be willing to respond in the schemes own response vehicles
• Good communication skills with the willingness to help others
• Must be able to commit to a minimum of 4 hours per week (208 hours per year)
• Have you been working and engaging with your local CFR schemes already? (if so, please give information)

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer name

West Midlands Ambulance Service University NHS Foundation Trust

Depending on experience

Voluntary - no pay