Hi Not ignorant at all most people have never heard of us. A community first responder (CFR) is a volunteer, usually part of a group, who attend 999 calls which are lifethreatning (CAT A calls) the CFR is dispatched to a call at the same time as the ambulance but because they operate within a small area eg a town or village they can get to and treat a patient in the few mins before the ambulance gets there. Responders are usually trained in CPR the use of an external defibrillator and oxygen therapy all very basic skills which can and do make a difference. The chances of recovering from a cardiac arrest decrease 10% every min, after 8 mins virtually no one survives but early defibrillation and CPR make a big difference. In some parts of the country esp the rural parts responders have also been trained to deal with minor injuries prior to the arrival of an ambulance. Responders are never dispatched instead of an ambulance only ever in addition to one ive been a CFR for 6 years now and i love it.