Deaf paramedic makes film for Deaf Awareness Week

A deaf paramedic has made a film using sign language to show people with hearing or speech impairment how to use a service which helps them contact 999.

Richard Webb-Stevens, who was born deaf, has spent 20 years working for the ambulance service and is now part of the Motocycle Response Unit. Before that he was the first deaf person to work as a flight paramedic on London's Air Ambulance.

He has now made a signed film showing deaf, hearing impaired, and speech impaired people how to use EmergencySMS, a service to access emergency services by text via 999.

Richard has recently marked his 20 year anniversary working for the ambulance service in London. He is now part of the motorcycle unit responding to calls from built up areas where it would be hard for an ambulance to get through quickly. The bikes carry the same life saving equipment as ambulances, including a defibrillator.

The paramedic was the first ambulance responder on the scene following the Westminster Bridge attack.

Speaking after the attack he said: "I started at one end of the bridge and worked my way across, checking all of the patients, some of whom were very badly injured. The public were amazingly helpful."

The film about EmergencySMS has been made for Deaf Awareness Week. The service is the best way for deaf, hard of hearing and speech impaired people to contact the emergency services.

How to register for EmergencySMS:

• To register text the 'register' to the number 999

• Wait for the reply message and reply with 'yes'

• Your mobile phone will now be registered