London Ambulance Service specialist paramedics to meet public at London Eye event
Visitors can meet specialist paramedics from the London Ambulance Service and discover what it takes to respond to some of the capital’s most challenging emergencies at a public event beside the London Eye on Friday 21 August.
The event, running from 11am to 4pm, will give people an opportunity to speak directly to ambulance crews about the different roles within the capital’s emergency service, including teams trained to operate in hazardous and difficult environments.
Among those attending will be members of the Hazardous Area Response Team, which provides medical care in situations where conventional ambulance access can be difficult or unsafe. The Cycle Response Unit will also showcase how specially trained crews use bicycles to move through busy London streets and reach patients quickly.
A key focus will be the work of Tactical Response Unit paramedics. Chris Pickering, who joined the service as an Apprentice Paramedic, works in situations where there may be an increased risk to patients or emergency responders.
His deployments can involve weapons, corrosive substances, public disorder and incidents in or around water. He can also work alongside specialist police teams, including firearms and counter-terrorism officers, providing medical support during potentially dangerous operations.
The role can change dramatically during a shift. A routine emergency call can become a major incident requiring police coordination, protective equipment and carefully planned access to casualties.
Pickering says the most rewarding part of the job is being able to provide care when people are facing some of the most difficult moments of their lives. He also credits the colleagues around him, describing the teamwork and support within the service as central to doing the job safely and effectively.
The event will also offer a glimpse into the history of emergency medical care in London, with items from the London Ambulance Service Historic Collection on display, including historic ambulances and an old medical kit.
The event takes place in front of the London Eye, between the gift shop and Belvedere Road.
Want to support the people who keep London moving in an emergency? Consider taking part in the London to Brighton Cycle Ride on 13 September or the London Life Hike on 26 September in support of the London Ambulance Charity. And follow EyeOnLondon for more local news.
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