At a little under £50,000, the new ambulance keeps Burntisland at the forefront of voluntary first aid in Scotland. That result was possible through the formation of a new organisation - Burntisland First Aid Services Trust. 2006 gets off to a cracking start for Burntisland's first aiders, with a brand new ambulance and a brand new organisation.
At a little under £50,000, the new ambulance keeps Burntisland at the forefront of voluntary first aid in Scotland. That result was possible through the formation of a new organisation - Burntisland First Aid Services Trust.
The new Trust replaces the local group of St Andrew's Ambulance Corps - an organisation which has served Burntisland well for many years. However, when the national Corps withdrew from providing mobile services the local first aiders decided it was time to change.
Most of the funds were raised in less than a year - a fantastic reflection of the work done by our members. It's not widely known, but local events such as Bonfire Night, Highland Games and Civic Week are only the tip of the iceberg.
Most weekends our first aiders are at off-road motorbike or horse events, looking after competitors who have been injured in a fall. At other times we treat people who have simply become ill at a major event somewhere in Fife, such as the Fife Show or national motor racing at Knockhill. In recent months our patients have had injuries varying from minor wounds to multiple fractures.
Our role is to ensure prompt treatment on the spot, so that recovery time is reduced. Even so, one of our patients recently spent 9 days in hospital before making a full recovery. In his case, a head injury meant that he was unconscious for 3 days, but immediate first aid ensured that he was stabilised before being taken into hospital.
The new Trust and the new ambulance mean that we can extend the services which we are able to offer. Initially, basic training will remain to the same level as now and we will continue to work with first aiders from other organisations. Essentially the Trust comprises some very familiar faces at very familiar events.
However, we will also be able to offer more advanced training for experienced members and a similarly advanced service to the public.
For example, one of our sponsors is Awards for All, who have enabled us to send two people on specialist courses, so that we can then cascade the relevant skills among our other members.
We are happy to welcome people who want to find a satisfying way of spending their spare time. We would like to hear from people who already have a basic certificate in first aid and who are interested in joining the Trust as volunteers. Of course, we'd also like to meet new people who want to learn from scratch.
The new ambulance means new ideas and new opportunities. Burntisland's first aiders already apply their key skills not just at public events but also in their private lives. As an independent Trust, we have the flexibility to do what is right for the local community and for those who request our services.
Enquiries of all kinds are welcome, either to Alex MacDonald on 873314 or Fiona Burrell on 873364.
