The group started responding one the 1st of September 2009 after undergoing the necessary training and having been provided with the necessary equipment by the Scottish Ambulance Service. This equipment includes an Automated External Defibrillator, oxygen administration and other items for the immediate treatment of a casualty.

In the first month of operation the group members attended 15 emergencies with a response time of just over 7 minutes, the fastest response being 30 seconds, this was a casualty at a bus stop 100 yards from where the First Responders are based, 19 South Bridge Street, Bathgate.

The types of calls the responders would be called out too are chest pain, cardiac arrest, breathing difficulties, choking, medical collapse and unconscious casualties. They will not be asked to respond to assaults or violent incidents, no incidents in public houses, no road traffic accidents, no children under age 16 or traumatic injuries. The Scottish Ambulance Service is providing full support to the group.

Bathgate Community First Responders has been granted full Charity status and the groups are all volunteers who are not only busy responding, but also raising money for the ongoing costs of the scheme, encouraging new members to join the scheme and also publicising what the group is doing for the community of Bathgate.

The group would welcome enquiries for potential responders and also volunteers to help with the administration and running the group, commitment can be as little or as much time as any volunteer can provide, but we do ask for a minimum of 8 hours per month... Financial help is always welcome and we will accept any donation large or small.

Bathgate Community First Responders can be contacted via there website www.bathgatefirst responders.co.uk where you will also find more information about us and also a telephone number.