WMS Community First Responders

Once you have completed your interview, training, DBS, occupational health check and provided your references, you will be required to volunteer for 16 hours per month. How you distribute this is up to you – most people choose to do 2 x 8 hour shifts, but for example you may choose to do 4 x 4 hour shifts, or three shifts one week and only one the rest of the month. Additionally, there is a degree of flexibility, for example if you not able to do quite as many shifts around exam season, as long as you complete 192 hours per year – just make sure you have a chat with us.

The training is based at the Sandwell Ambulance Hub in Oldbury (B69 2GR).

Currently this is the only training available due to WMAS regulations.

We are trying our best to see if we can bring the training to WMS and this may be an option in the future but unfortunately is not something we have managed to achieve at this time. Whilst we understand that this is disappointing, we have implemented an expenses system to claim mileage for travelling to training. If you are really struggling to make it to training please get in contact and we will see how we can help.

Comprehensive training is provided by WMAS across a 6 day face-to-face course completed sequentially. This covers things like foreign body airway obstruction, basic life support with AED use, management of medical conditions, A to E assessment and management of trauma patients.

Our CFRs attend Category 1 and 2 events. This includes events like cardiac arrest, catastrophic haemorrhage, RTCs, strokes, unconscious patients, seizures and difficulty breathing. You can also be called as back up for HCPs attending emergency events and can be asked to accompany them to the hospital in their ambulance to provide support en route.

Of course! For your first 3 months as a CFR, you will be required to partner with another CFR across at least 48 hours of shifts. You can be peer-assessed on shift and will then be able to choose whether to go out alone or in pairs. Alternatively, if you are a previous CFR or have other relevant experience (eg you are a qualified Paramedic) please feel free to get in touch - you may be able to skip the 3 months of dual crew response requirement.

The maximum number of people that can go on each shift is two.

Yes, you must partner with a CFR that drives on each shift (see question above). Not all current CFRs have a driving licence - this will not prejudice your application to WMAS.

You can still be a CFR if you have up to 3 points in your license UNLESS these are from drink driving or drug driving offences, but please contact us if in doubt. You must also have had your licence for more than one year.

No, this is a voluntary role. However, since the training is quite a distance away, we have established a mileage bursary scheme for those car sharing to training. The driver of a vehicle may apply to the University for a mileage bursary of 25p per mile, subject to 3 or more trainees being transported - you must have business insurance cover to use this.

In the future we may be able to partner with organisations for paid opportunities, such as providing first aid cover for graduation on campus. Whilst this has not yet been established, development of this work is underway.

Currently, there is no option to skip the training unless you are already an active CFR within West Midlands Ambulance Service specifically; this is due to governance issues. Whilst this may change in the future, there are no plans from WMAS to do so at this time. Your previous training and experience will remain invaluable in your role within WMSCFR however you will be required to undertake the WMAS training for a variety of reasons, for example to ensure you understand WMAS Scope of Practice limitations, which may vary from your previous scheme.

Unfortunately due to WMAS regulations, CFRs have a very strict scope of practice, regardless of what other advanced qualifications you hold. However, your experience and advanced decision making skills will make you an invaluable member of the CRR team and we would love to have you join us! Equally, unfortunately you must complete all 8 days of training in order to become a qualified CFR with WMAS, as this ensures a consistent level of training and performance for all CFRs. Please get in contact with us - if you have relevant experience you may be able to skip the 3 months of dual crew responding required.

Since this role is completely voluntary, international students should be able to take part without it contributing towards their weekly working cap. However we recommend you always check the rules on your visa specifically. Please contact us if you are an international student looking to join us as you may need a letter from us proving that this role solely involves volunteering.

Yes! This volunteering will be great for future job applications, especially for anyone considering a career in Emergency Medicine or PHEM. You will also be awarded a transferable FutureQuals Level 3 Award in First Responder on the Scene (FROS). As a CFR you will sit on the Royal Society of Surgery Edinburgh Pre-Hospital Emergency Medicine Framework at level “C”.

We hope this has persuaded you to join us. The next recruitment from WMAS will be in January 2026, but in the meantime, scan the QR code below to register your interest or contact us on WMSCFR@warwick.ac.uk. We are also always happy to hear from anyone interested in joining the committee or anyone who has ideas or suggestions for us to improve.