First Responder

The First Responder System creates a partnership between organisations and St John Ambulance to enable communities, businesses and local authorities to take an active role in saving the lives of people struck down by sudden cardiac arrest.

Sudden cardiac arrest is one of the leading causes of death in Australia. Following cardiac arrest, a person’s chance of survival decreases by 10% every single minute before defibrillation is commenced.

The First Responder System enables bystanders who witness cardiac arrest to provide help before an ambulance arrives and dramatically increase the victim’s chances of survival.

By becoming part of the First Responder System, you can help to save the life of a sudden cardiac arrest victim in your community or workplace. Think about adopting it today.

Benefits of the First Responder System
The benefits of adopting the First Responder System in your organisation include:

• Your organisation will be playing a key role in helping to save lives in your local community or workplace.
• Peace of mind that a well coordinated response plan to medical emergencies is in place.
• Being informed of incidents of cardiac arrest as they are happening. 
• A direct communication link between your organisation and St John Ambulance. 
• Professional first aid training for nominated members of your staff. 
• Ongoing clinical support, training and customer service. 
• An easy to implement plan that is already working well in Western Australian communities and organisations.

How does the First Responder system work?
The First Responder System is based on three key areas:

1. First Aid Training for nominated staff members (specific to cardiac arrest)
2. Direct links to the St John Ambulance Operations Centre
3. Ongoing clinical and training support from St John Ambulance

Training from St John Experts

Nominated members of your organisation will be trained by St John Ambulance professionals to become First Responders. They will learn basic life support techniques; how to administer oxygen to a patient; and how to use a semi-automatic defibrillator.

A direct link to St John Ambulance

Key words relating to the location of your organisation will be supplied to our Ambulance Operations Centre and linked in to our computer system. When a triple zero (000) call is received, if the location details provided match these key words, our communications officers will be alerted that there are trained First Responders in the area.

As well as dispatching an ambulance, the Operations Centre will alert the First Responders in your organisation, enabling them to attend the scene quickly and provide critical assistance before the ambulance arrives.

This direct link ensures that if a cardiac arrest incident occurs in your workplace or community, you will know about it as it happens, and be able to utilise all the resources you have available to assist to save the victim’s life.

Ongoing support and training

St John Ambulance will assist your organisation to develop an emergency call out procedure, suitable for your particular needs.

Ongoing support and training will also be provided in the form of clinical audits to facilitate ongoing clinical quality improvements; refresher training for First Responders to ensure skills are kept up to date; and immediate support and debriefing for your First Responder team following emergency situations.

First Responder Organisations

Organisations that have adopted the First Responder System include Arena Joondalup, BHP Billiton, Challenge Stadium, Education Department, Fini Villages, Garden City Booragoon, Health Department, Hillarys Boat Harbour, Parliament House, Perth Convention Exhibition Centre, Rio Tinto, SGIO, University of Western Australia and WA Airport Corporation.

How can I implement the First Responder System in my organisation?
Take a proactive approach to saving lives in your community or workplace and adopt the First Responder System today.

Contact a St John First Responder representative on (08) 9334 1222 or email us at fast@ambulance.net.au