Community First Responder - South & West Devon

South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust; Bickleigh; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional ambulance service in the United Kingdom seeks dedicated volunteers to join their Community First Responder schemes. Volunteers will attend emergency calls, providing critical support and basic life support until emergency teams arrive. Applicants must possess a full driving license and complete necessary training for patient care. This rewarding role enhances community connections while learning lifesaving skills. Flexibility in location is valued, and a commitment to training dates is required.

Qualifications

• Must have a full driving license with no more than 6 penalty points.
• Access to a vehicle for community service required.
• Must attend training and obtain Level 3 Award for First Responders on Scene.

Responsibilities

• Attend emergency calls to provide patient care.
• Offer basic life support until emergency services arrive.
• Engage actively in community service as a volunteer.

Skills

Good all-round education

Driving license held for at least one year

Knowledge of role

Job description

Exciting volunteering opportunities have arisen within South Western Ambulance NHS Foundation Trust for Community First Responders to join Community First Responder schemes across South and West Devon.

We welcome applicants from throughout South and West Devon; however we are particularly interested in people from the following areas: Ivybridge, Dawlish, Teignmouth, Newton Abbot, Brixham, Totnes, South Brent, Buckfastleigh, Ashburton, Yelverton, Noss Mayo, Plymstock, Princetown, Chudleigh, Bovey Tracey, City Centre Plymouth, Tavistock, Scheme Car based at Derriford Ambulance Station.

A Community First Responder (CFR) scheme is made up of a group of trained volunteers who within the community in which they live or work attend emergency calls on behalf of South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust to provide patient care, including basic life support, until the arrival of an emergency ambulance.

Applicants will have a good all‑round education; a full driving licence held for at least one year, with no more than 6 current penalty points and have access to a vehicle with current tax, MOT and insurance for their use. Following shortlisting, applicants will be invited to attend a formal interview whereby they will be expected to have some knowledge of the role and South Western Ambulance NHS Foundation Trust. Candidates will be required to attain the Level 3 Award for First Responders on Scene during training in order to complete the recruitment process.

As a volunteer and a member of a Community First Responder Scheme you would provide this community‑based service willingly and without pay. This role is highly rewarding and offers opportunities to meet new people and learn valuable lifesaving skills through the training provided by South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust.

It is vital you include what would make you an exceptional Community First Responder and how you meet the person specification for the role. Please be aware, if there is not currently a Community First Responder scheme running within a 3‑mile radius of your home postcode you may not be shortlisted. Should you wish to respond from your workplace as well as or instead of your home address, please detail this in the additional information section.

If you are currently in the Emergency Care Assistant pool please do not apply.

When applying for this position, please be aware that you must be able to attend the following interview dates and all of the training course.

Training Schedule

• Saturday 11th April 2026
• Sunday 12th April 2026
• Saturday 18th April 2026
• Sunday 19th April 2026
• Saturday 25th April 2026
• Sunday 26th April 2026

YOU MUST BE ABLE TO MAKE ALL OF THE TRAINING SESSIONS.

At South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) we have a culture where everyone is valued for being themselves. Our aim is to work together to promote the most inclusive environment possible, which attracts people from the widest range of backgrounds and experiences to enrich the work that we do together, for the benefit of all of our employees, our patients and the communities we serve. We offer flexible working opportunities, inclusive policies and a range of feedback mechanisms to support individuals and to enable a positive, welcoming environment where our people and their careers can thrive in.

We employ over 5,000 employees mainly clinical, operational and emergency response staff as well as supporting roles. We also employ doctors and volunteers which include community first responders and fire co‑responders.

We take all the steps needed to provide the most compassionate patient care possible whilst also providing an enjoyable and safe place to work. We actively promote a positive set of behaviours as being key to our performance both individually and collectively. Our recruitment, selection and screening processes are designed to uphold these standards and we invite all our candidates to actively share with us through these processes how they will bring these behaviours to life.

To view the Trust's Mission, Vision, Values and Goals click here.

For further details / informal visits contact:
Name: Nick Chown
Job title: HR Services Officer
Email address: [e-mail]