CRU Training 2011

On 22nd, 23rd and 24th February 2011 three new members of staff and Duty Operations Manager Carl Smith completed the three day intensive Public Safety Cycling (PSC) course.

The Cycle Response Unit (CRU) in King's Lynn has now been running since 2007 and has proved a huge success. It initially started providing cover three days a week, Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. In 2009 cover was increased to four days a week including a Wednesday. Due to the fantastic impact that the CRU has had on patient care, the Trust has now given the go ahead to run the bike six days a week.

The bike has attended 2200 calls and is the best performing and cheapest resource that the East of England Ambulance has. To provide this extended cover the team needed additional riders. After a rigourus selection, Lisa Oakey, Graham Sharp and Andy Long were selected and all attended and were successful on the PSC course.

The course was held at Kings's Lynn Fire Station and was ran by PSC Instructor Darren Rutterford. Darren was assisted by trained staff already operating on the unit. Carl and Cycle Response Lead for the Trust Darren Rutterford are now meeting with Trusts right across the country who are keen to role out bikes.

Our unique set up of working in Partnership with the local CCTV is something which until now has never been done. Many other Trusts are keen to adopt this same system, which provides safety for the riders whilst attending calls.

Part of the meeting includes discussing the standard of training which is why Carl completed the latest course himself. Carl said "it has given me an in depth insight into the training we are putting the riders through and I will allow me to discuss the training with other Trusts. It was a tough three days and i would now argue with anyone who says, anyone can ride a bike"!!