EMR and Yorkshire Ambulance Service expand First Responder team at Sheffield station
- EMR and YAS partner to train more staff at Sheffield station to become First Responders
- The course equips staff with the skills to provide vital initial care, comfort and reassurance
- First Responders are trained to monitor blood pressure, blood sugar levels and pulse rates
East Midlands Railway (EMR) has again partnered with Yorkshire Ambulance Service (YAS), to train more staff at Sheffield station in critical life-saving skills.
Three more station staff have participated in the First Responder course which includes training on cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), operating a defibrillator and administering oxygen. These newly qualified staff bring the total number of trained staff to six, with an additional three due to begin training this September.
Launched in November 2023, the scheme equips selected station staff with the skills to provide vital initial care, comfort and reassurance to anyone suffering a medical emergency before an ambulance arrives on scene.
In collaboration with YAS, First Responders are trained to assess patients in more detail, including monitoring blood pressure, blood sugar levels and pulse rates.
This allows for faster and more accurate information to be passed to ambulance service responders, ultimately improving patient outcomes in critical moments.
Sheffield station is already equipped with oxygen supplies and defibrillators and, with a growing number of qualified First Responders on hand.
EMR is further strengthening its ability to respond rapidly and effectively to accidents, injuries, and medical emergencies before paramedics arrive on scene.
Philippa Cresswell, Customer Experience Director at East Midlands Railway, said: "Safety is our top priority, and this partnership with Yorkshire Ambulance Service is a fantastic example of how we can go beyond expectations to protect our customers and colleagues.
"I want to personally thank the Sheffield team for stepping up and undertaking this vital training - it makes a real difference.”
James Marshall, Community Defibrillation Trainer with Yorkshire Ambulance Service, said: “We’re delighted to see the extension of the EMR scheme with additional colleagues now trained up as First Responders in such a busy station.
“First Responders make an extremely valuable contribution in this work setting, and passengers using Sheffield station have the added benefit of them being on site.
"We know that in many medical emergencies, such as a heart attack or a collapse, the first few minutes are critical. If effective treatment can be given within that initial time period, lives can be saved.”
EMR and YAS continue to explore opportunities to expand this successful model to other key locations across the network.