AN APPEAL has been issued for volunteers to sign up in Bradford for a crucial medical service.

The Community First Responder (CFR) scheme is a life-saving partnership between Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust (YAS) and local communities.

Responders are dispatched to category one and two level emergencies, alongside ambulances, when a 999 call is made.

Volunteers, who travel from home, are expected to contribute a minimum of 16 hours. They will receive full training from the Yorkshire Ambulance Service's community defibrillator trainers.

This will include going to an induction evening, a weekend training session and going out on the field with experienced community responders.

They are trained in CPR and the use of an Automatic External Defibrillator, which delivers a controlled electric shock to restart the heart, and carry portable oxygen.

The typical call-outs First Responders will work on are people with chest pains, breathing difficulties and cardiac arrests, which will include starting CPR.

All volunteers should be aged 18 or over, must be physically fit and have a full and clean driving licence for at least six months and be prepared to use their own vehicle.

They will work within a three-mile radius of their own home.

New recruits will get their fuel expenses paid in the voluntary role.

Yorkshire Ambulance Service will also run Criminal Records Bureau checks.

They will also be given a defibrillator and oxygen tank to carry out their work.

Now one of the First Responder volunteers has started an appeal to swell its ranks.

Sean Ridley, 24, of Delverne Grove, Eccleshill, is the Community First Responder co-ordinator for Bradford North, which covers areas including Eccleshill and Bradford City Centre, combines this role with working full-time as an area loss prevention manager for JD Sports.

He was nominated for a Telegraph & Argus Community Stars Award last year for his work with the group.

Mr Ridley said: "It's an absolutely crucial service.

"On red one and two calls, time is crucial. If you get there before a paramedic arrives, getting the help to people quicker.

"We don't replace paramedics, we aim to get there as quick as we can within the eight-minute response time for ambulance calls. Every second counts.

"Volunteers will need to do it in their own time.

"People would have to do it in the evenings and on their day off. We ask for a minimum of 16 hours a months, around four hours each week.

"We have over 30 First Responders in Bradford. It's all I've ever wanted to do. Helping people is a good feeling."

For more information on becoming a volunteer, call Mr Ridley on 07718 652605 or email linda.milsom@yas.nhs.uk or sharron.martin@yas.nhs.uk.

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