Our pre-hospital team consists of hundreds of enthusiastic and professional volunteers who are a credit to our organisation, regularly getting plaudits from the patients we treat.
As part of the pre-hospital team, you can be deployed in a range of environments at some of the largest festivals in the UK. You can often be the first clinical team to get to the patient, so being level-headed and able to make decisions in some unique situations is essential.
Some of the roles in the pre-hospital team are;
Ambulance Crew
First Responder
Paramedic
Stage Medical
Clinical Support Paramedic
Off-Site Transfer Team
Cycle Response Team
There also may be opportunities in our in-house training and leadership teams.
Please read the FAQ’s below and then click the apply online button. For all applications, you will require proof of qualification, a photo (passport style) and a credit/debit card to pay the £25 non-refundable membership and application fee. Please read the volunteer agreement before applying. UK Residents only, absolutely no exceptions.
The team is currently recruiting Paramedics, Ambulance Technicians, ECA’s / ECSW’s and First Responders with the following qualifications;
FREC 3, FREC 4 or equivalent certifiable qualifications from other organisations.
The team also recruits Community First Responders and certain other pre-hospital qualifications, subject to the approval of the FMS leadership team and statutory and indemnity requirements.
The level 3 First Response Emergency Care (FREC) award is the entry level qualification to volunteer in the Pre-Hospital team.
At present, we require that you complete your training before applying to join the team.
There are a range of roles within FMS that may have different joining requirements. For details, please see – https://www.festival-medical.org/get-involved
The Pre-Hospital team currently recruits within its scope of practice and can only recruit volunteers with pre-hospital related qualifications and experience.
Doctors, Nurses and (non Exeter Medical School) Students cannot currently be accepted for the Pre-Hospital team.
Festival Medical’s Services recruits a range of volunteers with both clinical and non-clinical skills. For details, please see – www.festival-medical.org/teams
We require a minimum of 2 shifts (normally 8-10hrs) at an event in order to get a place on the team. Occasionally we may require a number of ‘on call’ volunteers in case of a major incident, you may be asked to be on-call which means carry on and enjoy the festival but please don’t drink alcohol during the on-call period.
Absolutely! At any events we cover we want you to have fun. As long as you attend your shifts and respect the ‘on-call’ guidelines then the rest of the time is yours to enjoy. Our team organise get togethers, crew bar meets, joining in, local Park Runs and even swimming in the Thames! At larger events we have our own camp sites, showers, toilets, bar and food. For each shift you do you will get meal vouchers as we don’t want you going hungry.
In the first year, you will be assigned to the most appropriate team given your grade and experience. After this, you can apply to join the more specialised teams.
Events try to make themselves accessible and welcoming to people with health problems and disabilities. With a bit of thought and planning, many potential difficulties can be overcome. Here are a few things to consider:
Bring with you enough of your medication to last till you get home
Check the advice on our Prescribed Medicines page
Bear in mind that festival sites can be difficult to get around at the best of times and pretty well impossible in bad weather if your mobility is poor
Many events have a Disabilities Coordinator, who will be able to advise you on any special provisions made
If you have a complicated medical history, it will be really helpful if you bring a summary with you (your doctor’s surgery may let you have a print-out)
Let us know if you have to carry out any special procedures to keep well – we may be able to provide facilities and assistance
We do not believe a festival site is a suitable place for childbirth, or indeed for very young babies
FMS does not provide midwifery services and will advise getting you to the nearest hospital if you go into labour
If you have recently undergone surgery, ask your GP or hospital for advice about any special precautions to take and whether it is a good idea to go
Bring supplies of dressings with you. We can change these for you but may not have the particular ones you need
Festival sites are not sterile! Bear this in mind if your condition makes you particularly prone to infection
FMS cannot provide special toilet or washing facilities.
