A VOLUNTEER medic who has provided a vital first response to emergencies in Frampton Cotterell for 21 years has retired from the role.
Geoff Bell has been described as a “cornerstone of our community” by South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust.
Geoff became a community first responder (CFR) in March 2005, after a paramedic friend of a friend asked if he’d like to use his first aid training from work at Rolls-Royce in the community.
He said: “Up until then I’d been a first aider for five years and only used one plaster!
“I thought I’d give it a go. One interview and a-four-day training session later and I’m issued with a pager, kit bag, defib, oxygen, hi-vis bomber style jacket, plus vest and a helmet, and a certificate to say I was trained to Intermediate level first responder, to be let loose on the unsuspecting community!”
Geoff continued with the role after retiring from from Rolls-Royce, where he was a senior industrial radiologist, in 2020.
He helped cover high-profile events including the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics, the 2013 Special Olympics in Bath, the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and last year’s Women’s Rugby World Cup, and also responded to two medical incidents while off-duty, at the 2015 Rugby World Cup in Cardiff.
Geoff also formed part of the Covid vaccination team at Bristol City’s Ashton Gate stadium, a major centre in the vaccine roll-out.
For ten years Geoff has helped the Great Western Air Ambulance Charity teach the use of defibrillators and CPR in schools, and also helped deliver workshops to help young people understand what to do if someone is stabbed.
He has also taught life-saving skills to guides, brownies, cubs and scouts, and joked: “I obtained my Brownie first aid badge and Guide responders badge – with luck, the Scout first aid badge will follow!”
Geoff also helps raise awareness and take care of Frampton Cotterell’s public access defibrillators, and drives ambulances around the region from Cornwall to Wiltshire, to ensure they are in the places they are needed. He is set to continue volunteering in a ‘non patient-facing’ role.
Geoff said: “Someone asked how many lives have I saved and helped on the road to recovery.
I personally don’t know, as we never get to hear.”
SWASFT volunteering and community services officer Kevin Dickens said: “Geoff has been a cornerstone of our community as a dedicated community first responder for the past 21 years.
“His commitment, professionalism, and compassion has made a profound difference to countless lives.
“Geoff has consistently gone above and beyond to provide help and support to those most in need.”