Soham volunteer praised for responding to 999 calls during work hours
Local CFR Tom Morrison balances volunteering with his full-time job
A Community First Responder (CFR) in Soham has expressed gratitude towards his employer for permitting him to attend emergency calls during working hours.
Tom Morrison, a customer development co-ordinator at automotive engineering firm Ivor Searle, volunteered with the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST) as a CFR a year ago.
CFRs are specially trained by the ambulance service to provide initial care during emergencies, often reaching the scene before the ambulance crew to deliver critical life-saving assistance.
Despite working full-time, Tom’s employer, Ivor Searle, has facilitated his voluntary efforts by allowing him to respond to urgent medical emergencies when required.
Tom's interest in volunteering was sparked by a poster at a first-aid course related to his job. Initially handling calls during evenings and weekends, Tom desired to offer greater availability.
“I was quite passionate about it and wanted to give more availability, so I brought it up at work," Tom said. "Fortunately, my work is project-based, so I can prioritise my tasks when I return."
David Eszenyi, Ivor Searle’s Commercial Director, highlighted the collaboration's benefits. “We discussed how many calls he might get and agreed to try it – that was the only way to find out. It’s been running for a few months now and I’ve had no feedback that it’s been disruptive. It’s all good – and it’s a good thing for the community.”
Encouraging others to volunteer, Tom shared, “Do it - it’s amazing. There’s no better feeling than helping someone on one of the worst days of their life and making a difference. It’s worth speaking to your employer about booking-on during work time. I was initially scared to ask, but they’ve been very supportive, and it means there’s a resource available for local emergencies all week – not just at weekends and evenings.”