A NEW team of volunteers who give vital support to the community of Read and Simonstone has swung into action
The First Responder Team involves more than 20 volunteers who have been trained with high-tech medical equipment to respond to emergency calls, mainly heart attacks or collapses, in the villages before paramedics.
The team is on call 24 hours-a-day, and is trained in resuscitation techniques and how to use live-saving defibrillators. They are contacted via a pager by the ambulance service control room in the event of an emergency.
Co-ordinator Matthew Woods said: "The first eight minutes are vital for medical assistance and we are available to be dispatched first and work alongside ambulance crews to ensure patients get the quickest response possible."
The Read and Simonstone team is looking for fund-raisers to help buy the two defibrillators they use which are currently only on loan. Anyone who feels they can help should contact Matthew on 01282 774257. Fund-raising is done through the charity Heart of Lancashire Appeal.
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