First Responders first in a crisis! (From Barry And District News)

First Responders first in a crisis!

A VOLUNTARY emergency service run in the town is the busiest in Wales.

The First Responders team - a Welsh Ambulance Service initiative set up in Barry last September - are trained volunteers who can be first on the scene in a life-threatening situation.

At the moment there are 20 responders - but there is just one defibrillator kit for them to use.

Volunteer Brian Foley, of Guthrie Street, said: "We want to raise money to get more kits.

"They cost 1,400 each and we need at least six more. It would be good if shops and businesses had a defibrillator on their premises because it would help in an emergency."

Brian is a mortgage advisor but has been involved with first aid for many years.

He said: "Some people are not sure about our role - but we are there to help people before the ambulance gets there.

"Every minute the person is not conscious means the person has less chance of survival. We are trained to use the defibrillator."

Another volunteer Kelly Lewis, aged 21, from the Butrills, is training to be a nurse. She said: "My husband Tim and I both volunteer. We have been called out about 50 times since the group was launched in September.

" We only go to life-threatening situations or to people with breathing difficulties and stay with the person until the ambulance crew takes over."

Welsh Ambulance Service First Responder Officer for South Wales, Tony Rosetti said: "The volunteers provide a very important service.