GAZETTE & HERALD: HILMARTON resident Simon Barnfather urgently needs more volunteers to help him get a life-saving First Responder scheme off the ground.

First Responders provide vital treatment to people within their local community before the emergency services arrive.

This week Mr Barnfather, who works for Motorola in Swindon, has appealed for at least six like-minded volunteers to come forward so the scheme can start saving lives.

The 37-year-old said: "Hilmarton is quite remote and difficult for ambulances to get to quickly. We need to be able to help ourselves in an emergency as minutes can mean the difference between life and death.

"I have been a first aider at work for ten years and on my last refresher course the instructor was talking about the scheme. I thought Hilmarton could do with a scheme like this. Because of our geographical location ambulances have to come from Chippenham, Swindon or elsewhere so we need to be able to help ourselves as a community."

Neighbourhood First Responder Units are made up of volunteers aged between 18 and 70 who are provided with training in first aid, how to administer oxygen and use of a defibrillator.

Paul Gates, director of operations at Wiltshire Ambulance Service, said: "To be effective, the Wiltshire Neighbourhood First Responder schemes need to provide a 24-hour service to their communities and we are now working towards this objective."

Early intervention by a first responder for casualties who are unconscious, choking or having a heart attack greatly increases their chances of survival.

Responders work alongside NHS ambulance crews to provide the best level of pre-hospital care possible.

When a 999 call is made an ambulance controller phones the volunteer on call at the same time as dispatching an ambulance.

Mr Barnfather, who lives at Hoppingstones, said: "Time is of the essence so it's likely a local resident would get to the scene before the ambulance."

Once the scheme is up and running in Hilmarton volunteers will attend medical emergencies such as breathing difficulties, unconscious casualties, chest pains, seizures and diabetic emergencies.

Volunteers can give as much or as little time as they want.

"It could be as little as a few hours each month.

No previous first aid or medical knowledge is necessary as comprehensive training is provided free of charge by Wiltshire St John Ambulance.

Fundraisers and a treasurer are also being sought for the Hilmarton scheme.

A website has been set up providing further information. The address is www.hnfr.org.uk.

Anyone interested in finding out more is invited to attend a meeting in Hilmarton Church Hall at 8pm on March 23.

For further information please contact Simon Barnfather on (01249) 760179 or 07970 702333.

Alternately call Linda Robbins at St John Ambulance on (01380) 728362.