PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - The strong bonds that have been cemented between various crime fighters and first responders have proven invaluable for the Plettenberg Bay community.
This was highlighted during a recent incident with smooth cooperation between these role players when someone was seriously injured on a building site.
Plettenberg Bay Crime Prevention Association (PBCPA) operations head Otto Olivier said that volunteers last week responded to the emergency call.
"The professional services of Metro ambulance services and ER24 were called upon and first responders made their way to the scene. The patient was stabilised and attended to, while they passed on information to the paramedic services. Upon their arrival the patient was handed into the care of Metro Ambulance service and ER24 who transported him to Plett Mediclinic," Olivier said.
Medical trained volunteers (doctors, paramedics, medics from level one and first-aiders, Mediclinic Plettenberg Bay and ambulance services are part of the first responders group. Mediclinic could track the progress and prepare to receive the patient.
Olivier said volunteers currently use their own medical kits and one communal paramedic first-aid bag when they respond.
"At their own cost they remain updated on their skill level, transport themselves to emergencies and they have to be covered by their own insurance. Volunteers respond at their own risk to assist the professional services," he pointed out.
The volunteer group currently needs medically trained volunteers prepared to respond at a moment's notice, as well as assistance to replenish personal equipment.
Olivier said the PBCPA medic alert WhatsApp group evolved into an effective alert tool for medical emergencies.
The group aims to assist professional medical emergency services in a highly efficient first response.
"The aim and purpose of this group is to ensure that people in need of emergency medical care receive such care in the shortest possible time.
"To date, volunteer first responders have proven invaluable to our community time and time again, providing assistance and first-aid medical care whilst awaiting paramedic services."
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