YORKSHIRE Ambulance Service (YAS) is looking for volunteers in Addingham, Ilkley, and the surrounding areas to join the Community First Responder scheme.

Community First Responders are volunteers who provide immediate life-saving care to members of their local communities in an emergency medical situation, such as heart attack, breathing difficulties or a collapse, in the vital minutes before the ambulance arrives.

They are trained in Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and the use of an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) which delivers a controlled electric shock to restart the heart. First Responders also carry portable oxygen.

Dave Jones, Community Defibrillation Officer for YAS in West Yorkshire, said: “Community First Responders make a valuable contribution to their communities. We know that in many medical emergencies the first few minutes are critical. If effective treatment can be performed within those first minutes, lives can be saved and disability reduced. Being a First Responder can be extremely rewarding and I would encourage anyone who may be interested in taking on the role to get in touch.

“Many people volunteer as a Community First Responder to gain experience, to help their local communities and some people have had personal experience of a loved one needing prompt medical attention and can see the value in this initiative. Volunteers come from all walks of life.”

Full training is given to successful applicants who need to be over 18, physically fit and hold a full driving licence having never been banned from driving with no more than three penalty points. Yorkshire Ambulance Service will also run Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checks on candidates.

Anyone interested can find out more from Sharron Martin, Community Defibrillation Trainer at Sharron.martin@yas.nhs.uk or alternately on 07789271072.

Alternatively contact Emma Turner, co-ordinator of Addingham Community First Responders on 07811203036, email: addinghamcfr@gmail.com or have a chat in person by visiting the Responder stand at Addingham Gala on Saturday, July 11.