Warwick Medical School launches new Community First Responder scheme
Warwick Medical School (WMS) has officially launched its Community First Responder (CFR) scheme, part of the wider regional scheme led by West Midlands Ambulance Service University NHS Foundation Trust (WMAS). Uniformed volunteer WMS students, professionally trained and supervised, are choosing to give their time to care for the community when it is most needed.
Working alongside paramedic crews and coordinated by WMAS, the students respond to 999 calls using a dedicated CFR van equipped with lifesaving equipment such as resuscitation kits and defibrillators, all funded through grants, donations, and partner support.
Professor Stuart Croft, Vice-Chancellor and President, University of Warwick said: “Our medical students are demonstrating exceptional leadership by taking part in a scheme that delivers vital care and support to our local communities across Coventry and Warwickshire, as well as here on campus. This Community First Responder initiative is a powerful example of the University’s commitment to making a meaningful difference in the lives of people in our region and beyond.”
The initiative, led by WMS and supported by Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG) High Value Manufacturing Catapult, Coventry General Charities, and the London Electric Vehicle Company (LEVC), responds to the most serious Category 1 and 2 calls across Coventry and Warwickshire.
The Warwick scheme has been responding to these emergency calls since September 2025. This has already included providing immediate care for children and young people after falls or loss of consciousness, supporting patients experiencing acute cardiac events or strokes, and performing life-saving resuscitation – all in collaboration with professional WMAS paramedic crews.
Aidan Johal Baker, fourth year medical student at WMS and volunteer CFR, said: “The opportunity to bring our clinical and leadership skills together to deliver life-saving front line care for our local community is a real privilege. Our medical training, supported and informed by WMAS clinical protocols, training and support allows us to make a real contribution to improving and supporting NHS care through the CFR scheme.”
Volunteers receive full support, training, and welfare oversight from WMAS and WMS, including occupational health checks, background screening, and ongoing training.
Professor Gavin Perkins, MBE, Dean of Warwick Medical School, added: “Warwick Medical School’s CFR programme brings together our strengths in teaching, research and innovation, with both students and faculty working together to deliver this outstanding scheme. It exemplifies our commitment to excellent care, supported and informed by high-quality research and best practice. This is exactly how we strive to work, and the programme delivers on that ambition at every step.”
WMS will continue to work with WMAS to expand the scheme, enhance capacity, and contribute research into pre-hospital emergency care and the impact of Community First Responders.
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Notes to Editors
Additional Quotes:
Professor Simon Brake, Chief Innovation and Engagement Officer, WMS, said: “The establishment of the Warwick Medical School Community First Responder Scheme is a testament to our medical students’ amazing energy, commitment and professionalism, and desire to care for our local community. The scheme would not have been possible without the support of our partners, and especially West Midlands Ambulance Service colleagues for their unswerving support in the scheme’s establishment.”
Professor Anthony Marsh QAM, Chief Executive, WMAS, said: “The willingness of the Medical School and students to establish and volunteer for the scheme is what makes the West Midlands such a great place. CFR schemes support and enable the excellent clinical care delivered by WMAS ambulance crews, saving lives and caring for our communities, and is a real cause for celebration.”
Professor David Greenwood, FREng, CEO of WMG High Value Manufacturing Catapult, said: “As well as providing a valuable emergency service to local people and businesses, this programme is helping to develop the next generation of medical and clinical staff for the UK. We’re delighted to have contributed to providing the team with a locally built LEVC plug-in hybrid vehicle – helping sustain manufacturing jobs in the region whilst allowing the team to use a low emissions vehicle, purpose designed for navigating cities.”
Dr Roger Davies, Chair of Coventry General Charities, said: “We are delighted to have given a grant to the Warwick Medical School CFR scheme to support the city’s population through the volunteering of Warwick medical students. The commitment by these students and the Medical School to caring for our city is an initiative that we’re proud to support and encourage.”
Chris Allen, Managing Director of the London Electric Vehicle Company, said: “The Warwick Medical School CFR scheme is an invaluable local initiative that is making a real difference to people’s lives. We are proud to play a small role in its success through the provision of our VN5 van and we remain committed to supporting the team as they deliver vital care to the local community alongside the ambulance service.”
For more information please contact:
Matt Higgs, PhD | Media & Communications Officer (Warwick Press Office)
Email: Matt.Higgs@warwick.ac.uk | Phone: +44(0)7880 175403
About the University of Warwick
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10 December 2025