Mobile rescuers now also on duty in Waldeck-Frankenberg

In a medical emergency, every second counts. By the time the emergency services arrive, valuable time can have elapsed in which those affected could have already received initial treatment. This is where the "Mobile Rescuers" project comes in: qualified first aiders who are in the vicinity of the emergency are alerted by the control centre - and can initiate life-saving measures until the rescue service arrives. They are now also on duty in the Waldeck-Frankenberg district.

Alerting via smartphone app
This makes the mobile rescuers a good addition to the rescue chain in the district. The alert works via smartphone: if an emergency call is received by the Waldeck-Frankenberg control centre with the message "cardiac arrest" or "unconsciousness", the volunteer and qualified rescuers registered in an app who are in the vicinity are alerted - automatically and in parallel with the rescue service. This means that life-saving measures can be initiated before the emergency services arrive.

"Invaluable contribution to local first aid"
Together with representatives of the nationwide "Mobile Rescuers" project and volunteers who are already involved, District Administrator Jürgen van der Horst and First District Councillor Karl-Friedrich Frese gave the go-ahead for the project, which is based on a request from the FDP parliamentary group in the district council. "With the introduction of the Mobile Rescuers, we are significantly expanding our rescue chain in Waldeck-Frankenberg," says Jürgen van der Horst. "Digital possibilities combined with dedicated volunteer work enable us to be on site even faster in emergencies and save lives." Karl-Friedrich Frese also emphasises this: "Professional rescue services and volunteer work are closely interlinked here. The mobile rescuers bridge the treatment-free interval until the emergency services arrive and make an invaluable contribution to first aid on site."

There are currently already 100 trained mobile rescuers in Waldeck-Frankenberg who are registered in the app. They were previously given comprehensive medical training by multipliers from various organisations. But the aim is to increase the number. "Our goal is to have at least 300 mobile rescuers," says Gerhard Biederbick, head of the district's rescue, fire and disaster control service - and calls on people to register for the network of volunteer helpers.

More mobile rescuers wanted!
Anyone who has training in emergency services or medicine, comes from a healthcare or nursing background or is a member of an aid organisation and is at least 18 years old can get involved. All you have to do is download the "Mobile Rescuer" app from the AppStore or Google Play Store on your smartphone, register and sign up for free training. Once this has been completed, the initial equipment is provided for each mobile rescuer. Further information is also available online.

Background
"Mobile Retter" is a Germany-wide organisation that has been active for over ten years and enables alerts via smartphone. The app-based first responder alerting system was developed in 2013 by Prof. Dr Dr Ralf Stroop in the district of Gütersloh after he noticed an emergency in his neighbourhood only after the emergency services had arrived, but where he could have helped much earlier if he had known about the emergency due to his local proximity. The Mobile Rescuer System was then established in the district of Gütersloh in cooperation with the district administration, aid organisations, hospitals, doctors and fire brigades. In emergencies, the alarm is triggered by the rescue control centre in parallel with the rescue service and reaches the registered volunteer first aiders who are in the vicinity of the medical emergency. Even if the rescue service arrives at the scene of the emergency after nine minutes on average, the Mobile Rescuers are often quicker due to their close proximity and can already initiate qualified life-saving measures. The local Mobile Rescuers will continue to be supported by the district of Waldeck-Frankenberg, and the project will also be medically evaluated and monitored. The system is now running in over 40 local authorities in Germany, for example in the neighbouring Hochsauerland district, resulting in valuable synergies.

Keywords:

Mobile rescuers in Waldeck-Frankenberg Specialist rescue service Fire and disaster control