Volunteer responders help save lives
A lack of access to emergency services and a need for an urgent response for people in need of medical assistance led to Ultimate EMS/Nedics being founded.
Described as the angels of Brakpan, local advanced first responders from Brakpan-based Ultimate EMS/Nedics attend to the sick, trauma calls, accidents and other medical emergencies.
Ultimate EMS is registered as a company with medical advanced first responders qualified and registered with the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA).
They are also registered as NPO Nedics. A lack of access to emergency services and a need for an urgent response team for people in need of medical assistance led to Ultimate EMS/Nedics being founded in June by Michael James and Wayne Hunt.
“Due to the long response time of our government’s emergency services, we take it upon ourselves where possible to treat, assist and stabilise the patient until an ambulance or more professional people arrive,” said James.
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“We complete an average of 160 calls per month.”
Their offices are situated at 175 Dirk van der Hoff Street in Rand Colleries. The premises are also used as a training base.
“We have 20 qualified advanced first responders, all of whom are volunteers and completed their course, which is registered at SAQA,” explained James.
“At present, they buy their own medical equipment and sundries out of their own savings.”
They wear PPE at all times to treat patients.
“Our advanced first responders will treat the patients inside their scope until more professional help arrives such as an ambulance, Helivac or paramedics,” said James.
“Our advanced first responders have had Helivac training. We work hand-in-hand with all emergency services. We offer training to the public who wish to become level one, two or three and advanced first responders.
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“We offer this so you can help your family, friends and people in your workplace. The course is registered with SAQA.”
Since Nedics is an NPO, members of the community can assist with donations or sponsorships to help cover the medical equipment and sundries used by the first responders.
The banking details are Tyme bank, account holder Nedics, account number 5103 8674 278.
For more information about Ultimate EMS/Nedics, contact Maria Schutte (admin manager) on 076 310 7764, Adele de Jager (operational manager) on 074 418 4028, Michael James (director) on 060 728 3720 or Wayne Hunt (director) on 082 306 0564.
In case of an emergency, call 068 457 8068.
