As a community first responder, every day brings new challenges, new opportunities, and new moments of both joy and sadness. But one particular day stands out in my mind: It was a Wednesday early in February.

It started like any other day. I was working at my desk, answering emails, making phone calls, and going through my tasks for the day. But then, my ambulance pager went off. The message was brief but urgent: “Cardiac arrest, local office.”

Without hesitation, I sprang into action. I grabbed my gear and headed out the door, ready to do whatever it took to save a life. When I arrived at the scene, I was greeted by two ambulance crews and a rapid response vehicle. We quickly assessed the situation and got to work.

Time seemed to stand still as we worked tirelessly to resuscitate the patient. We used all the skills and knowledge we had at our disposal, and never once gave up hope. And finally, after what felt like an eternity, we achieved ROSC – Return of Spontaneous Circulation. This was my 27th ROSC, and indeed, it was a moment of pure elation, knowing that we had helped to save someone’s life.

But the work of a community first responder is never done. The very next day, I had two more cardiac arrest callouts. Sadly, neither of these patients survived. It was a stark reminder of just how high the stakes are in this line of work and how every second can make a difference between life and death.

As I reflect on that busy day in February, a few things stand out to me. Firstly, the power of teamwork cannot be overstated. Without the support and expertise of my colleagues, we would not have been able to achieve ROSC that day. Every member of the team played a crucial role in the successful outcome of the call.

Secondly, training and preparation are absolutely essential for community first responders. We undergo rigorous training and regular refresher courses to ensure that we are always up to date with the latest techniques and technologies. We practice scenarios and simulations so that when we are faced with a real-life emergency, we can respond quickly and effectively.

Finally, the resilience and strength of the human spirit never cease to amaze me. Even in the face of such a devastating event like cardiac arrest, there is always hope. Every life we save is a testament to the power of the human spirit and the dedication of the medical professionals who work tirelessly to save lives every day.

As a community first responder, I know there will be more days like that cold Wednesday in February. There will be moments of joy and moments of sorrow, moments of triumph and moments of defeat. But through it all, I remain committed to my calling, doing whatever it takes to help those in need and making a difference in people’s lives.

Rob Higgie