Community Resuscitation

Community Defibrillation Officer

The post of Community Defibrillation Officer (CDO) was pioneered by the BHF, to place 2300 defibrillators in the community as part of the National Defibrillator Programme that ran from 2003 to 2006. The CDOs were placed within their NHS Ambulance Service giving them direct access to the community.

Since then we have continued to work closely with these posts.

Within their ambulance trusts they manage the Community First Responders (CFRs) network, budgets and are responsible for planning and the development of services to deliver local, corporate and national objectives.

Many have gone on to become First Responder Managers and the BHF's CDO role itself has evolved into a Community Resuscitation Development Officer (CRDO). 

Community Resuscitation Development Officer

The aim is to drive the development of a coordinated community response to achieve improved outcome from cardiac arrest and life threatening emergencies. CRDOs plan a holistic community resuscitation service (incorporating Chest Pain, Community Defibrillation and teaching CPR in the community and schools) for their areas tailored to local needs. 

They set out to empower, educate, train and support local communities in heart health initiatives.

 To date we have funded posts in the following trusts; Scotland, Northern Ireland, East of England, East Midlands

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