New emergency vehicle will double life saving capacity
A new emergency response vehicle funded through a Public Health Community Grant has been officially unveiled at Bromsgrove Ambulance Hub. The vehicle will support the North East Worcestershire First Responders (NEWFR), a volunteer led charity whose trained responders attend 999 calls on behalf of West Midlands Ambulance Service
The team provides immediate care at life threatening incidents such as cardiac arrests, strokes and road traffic collisions, often arriving before an ambulance and delivering vital early intervention.
The Public Health Community Grant along National Lottery Funding has enabled NEWFR to purchase a second response vehicle, doubling operational capacity across the area. The funding also supports wider community health initiatives, including CPR and first aid training, bleed control awareness, and the expansion of community defibrillators. Sessions in schools, youth groups, workplaces and community organisations will equip hundreds of residents with skills proven to save lives. This project is a clear example of how public health investment can save lives long before someone reaches a hospital. By supporting North East Worcestershire First Responders, we are strengthening emergency response times, and also building vital community skills through CPR and first aid training.
Prevention, early intervention and community confidence are at the heart of good public health, and this funding helps ensure more residents know what to do in a crisis. The charity, which originally just served Redditch, has expanded significantly in recent years and now covers Bromsgrove, Droitwich, Alvechurch, Wythall and surrounding villages, with 14 volunteers each providing a minimum of 240 hours of service per year.
Ross Harris, North East Worcestershire First Responders, said: “This funding has made a huge difference to what we can deliver. We’re incredibly grateful for the Council’s support and proud to continue serving our communities.”
To find out more about how a Public Health community grant could help improve health and wellbeing in your neighbourhood please visit: www.worcestershire.gov.uk/communitygrants