The Danbury Community First Responder (CFR) group has reached a significant milestone – responding to its 10,000th 999 emergency call on behalf of the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST).
Since February 2002, the Danbury CFR group has grown into one of the largest and most active teams in the region, with 16 dedicated volunteer responders currently serving the communities of Danbury, Bicknacre, and surrounding areas.
Community First Responders are volunteers who are trained to provide immediate care in life-threatening situations such as cardiac arrest, breathing difficulties, and falls – often arriving before an ambulance to begin critical treatment.
Three of the original founding members of the Danbury CFR group remain active, including Dave Spiceley, who at 84 years old continues to respond to medical emergencies and support the team’s life-saving work.
Over the past 22 years, the group has seen a dramatic increase in demand. What began as a small team responding to just five calls a month has evolved into a highly trained unit which were called out 86 times last month.
Their busiest month to date was October 2020 with a record-breaking 121 call-outs, closely followed by 120 in July 2021.
The group’s reputation for excellence has led to a waiting list for new volunteers, ensuring that all members gain meaningful experience while maintaining high standards of care.
Gordon Wren was also a founding member of the group along with his wife, Julie, and has been team leader since the outset.
Reaching 10,000 calls is a testament to the dedication and resilience of our volunteers, past and present.
We’re proud to serve our community and support the ambulance service in delivering timely, compassionate care.
Gordon Wren
Congratulations to the Danbury CFR group on reaching this incredible milestone.
Their unwavering commitment to supporting their community is nothing short of inspirational.
On behalf of everyone at the Trust, I want to thank each and every volunteer – both past and present – for the vital role they play in saving lives and strengthening local emergency care.
Lorna Hayes, Head of Community Response at EEAST
The Danbury CFR group continues to play a vital role in the region’s emergency response network, offering reassurance, rapid intervention, and life-saving support when it’s needed most.