National Volunteers' Week - Steve's story

I‘m the coordinator of the Norfolk Accident Rescue Service (NARS) first responders group, which is based in Dereham.

We have attended more than 2,500 calls since we started operating in July 2018. In addition, we have around 16 active CFRs who respond in their own groups while also giving up time to man our first responder vehicle, which provides cover wherever needed. At NARS, we also have a team of volunteer doctors, nurses, critical care paramedics and paramedics.

I live in the countryside near Wymondham and am in my seventh year as a CFR, during which time I’ve attended more than 2,100 calls. I work for Archant, a large media company, and am lucky that they allow me to respond in my working hours.

A special moment for me was being first at scene to a sudden cardiac arrest in January and managing to successfully shock the patient and provide CPR until the crew arrived. The following week I received an email from the patient’s teenage son, thanking me for helping to save his dad’s life. It was a truly priceless feeling.

Published 4th June 2021