The First Responder Vehicles
Forth Valley First Responders operate with two vehicles, SAUFRU (Sauchie First Responder Unit) & FALFRU (Falkirk First Responder unit). Both cars have been specially equipped to help us deal with incidents we attend.
Further details of each vehicle can be can be found below.
SAUFRU (Sauchie First Responder Unit)
The SAUFRU has kindly been provided to the scheme by The Scottish Ambulance Service. The vehicle remains The Scottish Ambulance Services property, but allows the Forth Valley First Responders to use it to respond to Emergencies within the Forth Valley area. This vehicle is based at Sauchie Ambulance Station, but is deployed to anywhere within our area that needs cover.
The vehicle is a Ford Fiesta and has been fully kitted out with state of the art communications equipment allowing the Ambulance Control Centre’s to track the vehicles location in real time across NHS Forth Valley and beyond.
Also on board is a computer system which allows direct receipt of 999 Emergency Calls from our control centre’s removing the need and delays caused through dispatchers having to pass the details verbally over the telephone. There is also a hands free kit in the vehicle, which allows solo responders to be able to answer a call while responding to an emergency.
FALFRU (Falkirk First Responder Unit)
Angus MacDonald MSP for Falkirk East was contacted by Kelly Irvine one of our First Responders to seek help securing another vehicle. Mr MacDonald was already aware of the work we do from following our Social Media.
Through his efforts he secured a second Ambulance Response Vehicle through Arnold Clark – Kia, enabling us to double our operational cover across NHS Forth Valley.
Mr MacDonald said:
“I was delighted to be able to assist Forth Valley First Responders with their request for assistance in obtaining a new vehicle. I follow the activities of Forth Valley First Responders on social media and am well aware of the first class work they do in the area.
“My thanks go to Arnold Clark who reacted very positively to my request and have generously provided a high-tech Ambulance Response Vehicle that will undoubtedly save many more lives in the Forth Valley area.
“It is a very impressive vehicle with state of the art communications and will double the operational capability throughout Forth Valley. I understand that the paramedics who will use it are delighted to receive it and look forward to seeing it on the road.”
The vehicle has been fully kitted out with state of the art communications equipment allowing the Ambulance Control Centre’s to track the vehicles location in real time across NHS Forth Valley and beyond. Also on board is a computer system which allows direct receipt of 999 Emergency Calls from our control centre’s removing the need and delays caused through dispatchers having to pass the details verbally over the telephone. This vehicle is based at the Falkirk Ambulance Station.
Generously provided by Arnold Clark
