Call-Out Procedure
North East Ambulance Emergency Control Centre in Newcastle receive the '999' call using their advanced computer mapping and control system.
The nearest available emergency ambulance is mobilised. If necessary, the air ambulance may also be alerted.
If in the opinion of Ambulance Control, the ambulance cannot reach the patient within 8 minutes, and the call meets the criteria for deployment of a First Responder, the Duty Responder is alerted by the controller via the special 'smart phone'.
The Duty Responder will then proceed immediately to the patient to treat their condition. Being in the local community, the average response time should not normally exceed 3-4 minutes, depending on location.
After attending the incident and handing over to the ambulance crew, the Responder must call Ambulance Control clearing the incident, and quoting the case number, to pass on our attendance times and advise of their safe return.
Till Valley First Responders do not have authority to use flashing
blue lights and sirens on their vehicles, to exceed speed limits or
to ignore any other road traffic laws. The cost of driver training
necessary to enable us to drive with blue lights and sirens would be
prohibitive and as most calls are very local to the Responder, the
use of emergency warning devices would be of marginal benefit.
Members of the public must not attempt to call out a Responder by contacting him or her directly. You must dial 999 and ask for the ambulance service.
Unless mobilised by North East Ambulance Emergency Control Centre we are not covered by North East Ambulance Service insurance. However, this does not prevent us from assisting at an accident we may come across, providing Ambulance Control are informed as soon as possible. Attempting to contact a local Responder directly wastes valuable time and delays the dispatch of a paramedic ambulance. It may also be the case that the responder you call is not on duty, and therefore will not be in possession of the lifesaving equipment they need. In an emergency, always dial 999 immediately. Remember: Although we are trained in basic life saving procedures, we are not paramedics!
Members of the public must not attempt to call out a Responder by contacting him or her directly. You must dial 999 and ask for the ambulance service.
Unless mobilised by North East Ambulance Emergency Control Centre we are not covered by North East Ambulance Service insurance. However, this does not prevent us from assisting at an accident we may come across, providing Ambulance Control are informed as soon as possible. Attempting to contact a local Responder directly wastes valuable time and delays the dispatch of a paramedic ambulance. It may also be the case that the responder you call is not on duty, and therefore will not be in possession of the lifesaving equipment they need. In an emergency, always dial 999 immediately. Remember: Although we are trained in basic life saving procedures, we are not paramedics!