The Vale First Responders (VFR) are a voluntary charitable group.

The Vale First Responders, helping to save life in the Vale of Belvoir..

The Vale First Responders (VFR) are a voluntary charitable group managed and controlled by the East Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EMAS), to provide emergency Category A (emergency only) support in the Vale of Belvoir and north Melton villages. The Vale of Belvoir is an 80 sq mile area south of the A52, and north of Melton Mowbray, between the A606/A46 and Bottesford.

We are volunteer Community First Responders who live or work within The Vale of Belvoir and surrounding areas in North Leicestershire and South Nottinghamshire. We work in partnership with East Midlands Ambulance Service and respond to emergency medical calls within our area, providing vital assistance to people who are ill or injuredprior to the arrival of the Emergency Ambulance.

VFR is a registered local charity (number 1115596) funded by voluntary contributions from the general public and staffed by trained volunteers local to the vale villages. VFR has over 30 members which makes it one of the largest responder units in EMAS. We will respond to any 999 call as directed by the ambulance service, except traffic accidents and children. VFR has staff normally on duty between 08.00 and 22.00 every day including weekends. We are always looking for volunteers. If you feel you would like to contribute to your community then please contact us.

Volunteer responders can be male or female, aged from 18 to 70, must have access to a car and be able to attend emergency calls from either their home or place of work in Vale of Belvoir as soon as they are received, in a similar way to which retained firefighters or volunteer RNLI staff or other volunteer emergency services operate. Not a huge amount of time is required as a volunteer, as normal life can go on while a responder is on call.

A volunteer responder needs to be extremely reliable and trust worthy, good under pressure, able to remain calm in emergency situations, be caring when dealing with patients and have a decent level of physical fitness. While a responder is on call they can continue with their normal day to day activities, but must be ready to drop everything and attend a call should one arise while they are on duty.

Extensive initial and on-going training and assessment is provided by East Midlands Ambulance Service.

Anyone who would like further information about volunteering or would like to pledge a donation to the
scheme should contact us - click here.