“It is very rewarding knowing that you are making a positive impact on people’s lives at times of emotional and physical trauma”
Conor Maher – Team Leader
Conor, who lives in Pyrford with his wife and two children, has been responding to 999 calls since October 2014. He has been involved in a number of volunteering interests in the Woking area for many years – he is an Honorary Life President of Woking Town FC and a Medic at Chobham Rugby Club.
“I have always believed in the personal benefits of volunteering and the Community First Responder role offers a unique opportunity to develop new skills while giving something back to your local community. It is a privilege to be invited into someone’s home at a time of great personal need, helping them and their families through an emergency medical situation.”
Nicola Buchan
Nicola lives in Bisley and joined the team in May 2019. Changing her lengthy career in education, she then joined SECAmb as a full-time Emergency Care Support Worker. She is now a qualified full-time Paramedic at Chertsey Ambulance Station, having trained internally through SECAmb at St George’s, University of London. Nicola worked with the SECAmb Community Resilience team in 2019 to help deliver the ‘Restart a Heart’ programme to schools in Surrey.
“Volunteering is something that I have always been passionate about and the SECAmb CFR role allows me to give something back to my local community on a regular basis and brings a unique perspective to responding to incidents as a solo responder. It enables me to meet and train alongside new people, whom I often meet outside the CFR role for coffee and cake! It is like an extension of my ‘green’ family in red.”
Sue McKeown
Sue lives in Woodham and first joined the team in June 2012 to assist in the execution of the Defibrillators for Schools programme. In 2019 she qualified as a Community First Responder and has recently started delivering “Restart a Heart” sessions in local schools.
“What better voluntary role could there be than one that allows you to learn critical life saving skills and build your own confidence whilst helping people in times of urgent medical need in the local community.”
Gurli Medcalf
Gurli lives on the outskirts of Woking and has been part of the team since 2012. Gurli is also a member of St John Ambulance where she has been a part of the Guildford Adult Unit as well as a trainer since 2010.
“In my role as a Community First Responder I feel very privileged as I get to meet different people, use my first aid experience as well as being involved in helping the community.“
Jiri Musil
Jiri has been responding since December 2015 from home at Penton Hook, covering an interesting and varied patch along both sides of the river around Chertsey, Thorpe, Shepperton, Addlestone, Egham, Virginia Water, Staines, Ashford and more….
“It was my son Jason who got me into this – perhaps as a replacement for himself when he was leaving the team to move on in life, as the right kind of challenge for me, and at the same time something very close to my lifelong ‘urge’ to do some common good. The CFR role fits the bill perfectly and I feel honoured to have been adopted by the extended Front Line Family in red.”
Chris Rumsey
Chris has been a chef for over 35 years and currently works as a catering lecturer in a local prison. He has been responding since 2013.
“I became a CFR to offer that vital help needed in the first few minutes to hopefully make a difference to somebody in their time of need.“
Sue Shaw
Sue works as part of the nursing team in a local doctors surgery, living in the south Woking area. She has been responding since June 2010.
“Being a community First Responder has given me the opportunity to help within my local community. The training I have received over the years has given me the skills and knowledge to provide necessary first aid for people calling 999. But it’s not just about medical assistance – as responders we are also there to provide care and compassion. I am proud to be part of a successful team that has helped so many people.”
Crispin Kirkman
Crispin lives in Chobham, from where he started responding in 2016. He worked as an NHS manager for 25 years and then joined the biotech industry working on the development of new treatments, mostly for cancer. He joined as CFR under St John Ambulance and is still an active member of SJA. Now retired, his current interests are making music, arboristry and family history research.
“After so many years managing health services and developing treatments, I wanted to be hands-on like the health professionals I envied all my career. It is such a fulfilling experience to be trusted by people in need.”
Nick Freed
Nick joined the team in November 2022. He lives and works at RHS Garden Wisley as the Senior Fire and Security Officer. He moved to Surrey from Maidstone in 1978 to undertake training at RHS Wisley and Merrist Wood before starting his career with RHS. Nick lives with his wife Michaela. He has two daughters one of whom works for an animal assisted therapy school for children, the other as a head of year teacher in a Junior school. He enjoys visiting Gardens and the theatre and is building an N gauge model railway for when he retires.
“I love being part of the CFR family in the Woking area, providing help where required to my local community. I am always very grateful for advice and experiences that can be shared from more experienced.”
Alison Smith
Alison lives in Knaphill and joined Woking CFRs in July 2022. Alison has been an Occupational Therapist for many years and currently works in west London for an Urgent Community Response Service.
“Training to become a CFR has given me the opportunity to volunteer in my local community as well as learn new clinical skills – an incredibly rewarding role”
Jason Cole
Jason joined the team in November 2023. He was born in Woking and has lived in Woking all his life. Jason works for a large commercial catering equipment manufacturer and looks after the dealers in the south of England. Jason is a member of Woking leisure centre where he is active in fitness challenges, leagues, and enjoys the social parts of the club. He is also a keen skier, enjoys cycling & playing tennis.
“I became a Community First Responder to be in the position to give immediate lifesaving support and any other medical needs before the ambulance arrives. I am proud to be part of such a great dedicated team supporting our local community”
Kevin Priestly
Kevin has been a CFR since 2015.