09 August 2007 00:00

APPEAL FOR VOLUNTEER FIRST RESPONDERS IN WREXHAM INDUSTRIAL ESTATE

People working on one of Europe’s largest industrial estates are being called upon to step forward and help make a positive difference in a life-threatening emergency.

The Welsh Ambulance Service NHS Trust is appealing for volunteers from Wrexham Industrial Estate to give a part of their daily life in the area over to helping making that vital difference to a person involved in a serious emergency as Community First Responders.
Across Wales, people from all walks of life have signed up to become a Community First Responder.
Grave diggers, bank managers, and school dinner ladies are currently read and willing all over the country to reach emergencies in their role.
First Responder schemes give volunteers the skills and tools needed to begin life saving treatment before an ambulance can arrive at the scene, but they do not replace existing ambulance services.
All volunteers undergo training by the Welsh Ambulance Service to carry out basic life saving skills, recognition of cardiac conditions, cardio- pulmonary resuscitation and the use of a defibrillator.
The Welsh Ambulance Service provides the necessary support needed to continue to carry out the role.
The British heart Foundation also has an important part to play in this process, by offering the Community First Responder Teams financial aid in the purchasing of their defibrillator – ‘Match funding’
Regional First Responder Officer Kevin Hands explained having a Community First Responder Scheme at Wrexham Industrial Estate to be on stand by to help the 7,000 staff in the area, will assist the chances of survival for a heart attack victim, as the early the person receives help, the better their chances of survival.
“Community First Responders can make that all important difference to a person’s life when they reach the casualty. The emphasis on having a scheme at Wrexham Industrial Estate, is to make it a working community project.
“We are appealing for numbers, not just individuals, ten to twelve people to get a team up and running. Our role is to help get that process under way with the training and to help in the purchasing of the First Responder equipment bags and the defibrillator.”
Kevin added: ”Community First Responders will reach the patient within a very short time of a 999 call being made. If you can reach a cardiac arrest patient within the first few minutes and administers treatment; their chance of survival is greatly improved. “

For more information contact Regional First Responder Office (North Region) by ringing 01978 366204 or emailing firstresponder.north@ambulance.wales.nhs.uk

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