Photo Caption:
Corporal Justin Smith (left) and Sergeant Pete Webb (right) with students of Methwold High School

RAF Marham First Response - Skill Force Training

Usually RAF Marham's First Response Scheme is helping the East Anglian Ambulance Service to attend the many emergencies occurring in our community.

Operating in their Rapid Response Vehicle (RRV) Call sign 'R662', the team is tasked to provide a 'First Response' and attend any emergency calls that require medical aid within the county.

The team is made up of 20 serving members of the Royal Air Force, most of who are based at RAF Marham. All team members give up their time and operate on a voluntary basis providing additional medical cover for the Ambulance service to use when assets are deployed on other emergency calls.

With 'Marham First Response' actively promoting the importance of 'First Aid' within the community, the team was approached and asked to assist in a school training programme 'Skill Force'.

Skill Force is a uniquely successful scheme, which enhances the life chances of young people. The Ministry of Defence initiative works closely with the Department for Education and using former Service Personnel and others it delivers a range of motivational and inspirational activities to young people throughout schools in the UK.

The Skill Force programme is designed to deliver a wide range of activities, and is targeted mainly at 14 - 16 year olds. The numerous activities are built around developing teamwork & problem solving and raising self-esteem in all its participants.

So where did 'First Response' fall in to this, well as part of the training programme the Skill Force team teach a basic session on First aid covering a wide variety of skills and treatment that could be given to anyone suffering from Shock, Bleeding, minor breaks, and Basic Life Support including Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).

First Response was asked to attend and give an overview of a 'Voluntary Emergency Service' operating within the community, and covering the importance of First Aid trained persons in both the home environment, workplace and as a passer-by in the street. The session involved a display and demonstration of Equipment carried by the First Response Team, The methods used when dealing with life threatening injuries, and how effective basic First Aid can be to a wide spectrum of injuries.

The session also provided the pupils with the opportunity to try their skills using Resuscitation Mannequins giving them plenty of hands on training.

During the week Cpl Justin Smith & Sgt Pete Webb visited 3 schools in the area, Watton High School, Hammonds High School Swaffham & Methwold High School.

Sgt Webb commented, "The feedback from the pupils was excellent, the pupils showed great maturity, should they need these skills in the future to deal with injuries I am sure they will approach them and treat them in a calm manner".

The sessions are designed to develop confidence and self-esteem from within the pupils, as well as broadening their knowledge with many life skills, it also showed that despite the array of medical equipment on display First aid can be a simple act, which requires nothing more than a calm confident approach.

Cpl Smith commented, "The pupils had many questions to ask us, the willingness to learn and take onboard what can sometimes be a daunting subject was very impressive".

First Response would like to thank the schools in making them very welcome, especially the Skill Force Team, Bertie & Hugh. Should you require any further information on Marham First Response and our role within the community or 'Skill Force' please contact

Cpl Justin Smith (Team Leader Marham First Response) 01953 882437
www.skillforce.org