Ambulance service - on two wheels

4:00pm Tuesday 11th July 2006

VICTORIA Catterall is Bolton's first ambulance paramedic on two wheels.

She will become a familiar sight to shoppers and workers over the next six weeks as she takes part in an ambulance service trial evaluating how effective a bicycle response team will be.

Her bike carries emergency first aid and life-saving equipment, including a defibrillator and oxygen tank, which will enable her to deal with an emergency until an ambulance arrives on scene.

Bicycles are often the fastest and most convenient way for the emergency services to reach injured people in town centres.

They allow riders to cut out busy roads and take short cuts.

Miss Catterall, aged 32, said: "I have been on the ambulances for 10 years now and this seemed like it would be a nice change and a new challenge.

"But I didn't realise I'd be riding a bike with more than seven stones worth of equipment on it."

The bikes are also equipped with emergency lights and a siren to help them get to incidents quickly and safely.

A total of eight bicycle paramedics have been recruited.

A specially designed uniform will ensure they are clearly visible, as well as protected from the elements.

Miss Catterall sad:"The scheme works really well and the public love it. I am getting people coming up to me all the time asking about what we do and about recruitment.

"I think it's a really good idea."

The bicycle paramedics are put through a three-day International Police Mountain Bike Association training course. They also have a fitness test and have been given advice by a nutritional expert to help them to stay in shape.

If the scheme, which is already being tried out in Manchester is successful, it may be extended to other pedestrianised centres ln the North-west.

The trial in Bolton will run for around six weeks.