A team of volunteer military co-responders has joined forces with the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST) to help respond to medical emergencies.

The team of 20 volunteers are based at St George's Barracks in North Luffenham, close to the Peterborough border.

They are serving in all three branches of the UK’s Armed Forces, in roles ranging from infantry soldiers and mechanics, to dog handlers, medics and nurses. They will all volunteer their own time to respond to 999 calls, in addition to their military duties.

The team went live on 14 November, and can now be sent to appropriate calls by dispatchers in EEAST's control rooms.

The new military co-responders with team leader Cpl Jack Frame (second left) and EEAST's Armed Forces Community Network chair Terry Hicks (third right) at Peterborough ambulance station.

placeholder image — The new military co-responders with team leader Cpl Jack Frame (second left) and EEAST's Armed Forces Community Network chair Terry Hicks (third right) at Peterborough ambulance station.

They are initially responding from Peterborough ambulance station, but will soon be equipped with a dedicated response vehicle, allowing them to operate directly from their base at St George's Barracks.

Corporal Jack Frame, co-responder team leader, said: "Every member of our team volunteers because they are passionate about making a difference in our local communities. In our 'day jobs', we are trained to respond quickly, remain calm under pressure, and manage challenging situations effectively. These skills are at the core of what we do, and we are proud to use them to support people in their time of need.

"As a team, we are celebrating 10 years of volunteering to assist patients during emergencies, and we're thrilled to begin our new partnership with the East of England Ambulance Service Trust (EEAST). This collaboration allows us to continue providing vital support to those who need it most, combining our professional expertise with our commitment to helping others."

The team at St George's Barracks joins existing military co-responder teams for EEAST at RAF Henlow, RAF Wyton, RAF Marham and RAF Honington.

It further strengthens EEAST’s long-standing partnership with the UK Armed Forces. EEAST is proud to hold the Gold Award in the Ministry of Defence's Employer Recognition Scheme, recognising its commitment to supporting military veterans and reservists in pursuing careers within the ambulance service.

Tom Barker, Head of Co-Response at EEAST, added: "It's fantastic to have this new team of volunteers on board. Military co-responders play a vital role in helping us reach patients quickly, especially in rural or hard-to-reach areas. Their dedication and professionalism make a real difference, and we're incredibly grateful for their support."