Duo all set to respond in emergency

TWO community-spirited people will be helping the ambulance service in and around town after successfully becoming community first responders. John Burgess and Emily Leaver, pictured, have both completed their training and are now ready and available to r

TWO community-spirited people will be helping the ambulance service in and around town after successfully becoming community first responders.

John Burgess and Emily Leaver, pictured, have both completed their training and are now ready and available to respond to life threatening situations when they arise in the area.

Steve Catley, the East of England Ambulance service's responder manager for Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire, said: "John and Emily have worked extremely hard to achieve the required standard."

Community First Responders attend emergency calls where time can make the difference between life and death.

They can quickly to provide potentially life-saving care and reassurance in the moments before an ambulance arrives.

Volunteers take it in turns to be "on call" and carry basic first aid equipment and a defibrillator.

They are then sent to high priority 999 calls, mainly those involving cardiac arrest.

Mr Catley added: "Although it sounds like a dramatic scenario, with the correct training almost anyone has the potential to save a life."

For more information on the community first responder scheme, contact the responder admin line on 01284 731802.

No previous first aid experience is necessary, as full training will be given.