A volunteer-driven emergency medical unit, which began as a response to delayed ambulance arrivals, has grown into a vital support structure for communities across Pretoria east.

The Volunteer Emergency Medical Response Unit (Vemru) was officially registered in 2019 after its founder, Casper Visser, recognised a growing crisis in access to emergency care.

At the time, Visser was employed by a private ambulance service and increasingly found himself fielding calls from friends who were desperate for advice.

“Many people in our community had to start cancelling medical aid due to affordability and the rising cost of living,” explained Visser.

“There were often times when friends or acquaintances called me while I was still employed by a private ambulance service, just asking for advice. Government ambulances were taking too long to respond, and they couldn’t afford the services of a private ambulance.”

Visser realised there was a dangerous gap between the onset of an emergency and the arrival of medical intervention.

According to him, delays in government ambulance response times, caused by overwhelming call volumes, often leave patients without immediate care during the most critical stage of an emergency.

“The delays due to overwhelming call rates created a gap between the start of the emergency and the first intervention. This is one of the most critical times to initiate treatment and stabilisation,” he stated.

The organisation started with just himself and Tammy Visser, responding to calls from the community and local armed reaction officers within the Garsfontein SAPS area.

From these humble beginnings, the unit steadily built trust within the community and gradually expanded its reach beyond a single policing precinct.

Today, Vemru covers all areas of Pretoria east and its surrounding communities. Over the past seven years, the organisation’s operational footprint has expanded significantly, now including rescue operations and mental health support.

What began as a small initiative to bridge a response-time gap has evolved into a structured emergency response unit with three directors, four permanent staff members, and eight active volunteers.

Despite being volunteer-driven, professionalism remains central to Vemru’s operations.

“Operational volunteers are required to hold a qualification registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa. Observational volunteers are encouraged to obtain first aid training, which they can complete through our training division,” noted Visser.

“All volunteers undergo a 100-hour mentorship programme, working shifts alongside registered responders and completing field training and scenario-based exercises before becoming full volunteer crew members,” he added.

Visser highlighted that vehicle accidents and crime-related violence remain the most common types of incidents Vemru responds to, reflecting the stark realities faced by many residents in the area.

He emphasised that collaboration with other services is a key principle of their operations.

“Our teams work very well with private and government ambulance services. We’ve proven in the past that our only concern is the well-being of our patients,” he said.

“We want to get help to a patient as quickly as possible. As soon as we receive a call, we share it with other services as well, so they can respond if they are closer than our vehicle.”

The organisation faced one of its toughest periods during the Covid-19 pandemic, which saw a sharp increase in call volumes.

Visser revealed that it was an incredibly demanding time, yet the team continued to serve the community tirelessly.

Funding for Vemru remains largely community-based, with the organisation primarily supported by donations from residents and local businesses.

“Community support is at the heart of everything we do,” said Visser. “We also give back to the community by hosting free public training events where residents can learn basic first aid skills.”

These training events empower ordinary people to assist during emergencies before professional help arrives.

Visser is clear about his vision for the organisation’s future.

“I want to expand Vemru to get more equipped and registered vehicles on the road so that we can assist more patients,” he added.

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