About FAST
The First Aid Support Team (FAST) is a volunteer-run emergency response charity and a crucial part of Camposol, giving residents and visitors rapid medical assistance in the vital minutes before an ambulance arrives.
Camposol is a large expat community far from the main hospital in Cartagena, often 30 to 40 minutes away. FAST was founded by volunteers in 2011 to fill that gap. It was granted Foundation status by the Spanish authorities in 2017 and recognised by the British Embassy in Madrid in 2018 for its outstanding work.
The volunteers aim to provide 24-hour, 7-day emergency support to anyone on Camposol, and because they live within the community their response times are often under 10 minutes. Responders are trained in CPR and the use of defibrillators and operate specially equipped response vehicles.
Through their Red Folder Project, residents keep a folder of medical information at home with a sticker on the door so responders can find vital details immediately. FAST is self-funded through donations and community events and offers its services free of charge. It does not replace the 112 ambulance service but acts as a first responder, and operates out of the Sector B Cultural Centre every Tuesday morning.