First Responders in Devizes, who are often first on the scene of a medical emergency, have benefited from a grant of £1,800 from Roundway Parish Council.

It has allowed them to buy a defibrillator, which uses an electrical charge to stimulate a patient’s heart, an oxygen cylinder and a responder kit, including a heat retaining blanket, ambulance dressings and an oxygen mask.

The total cost of the equipment paid for by the parish council is £1,868. Council chairman Chris Callow said: “We are delighted to assist the First Responders’ appeal for vital equipment.

“This will enable them to assist in saving lives in the Roundway and Devizes area. The least we can do as a parish council is ensure that they have the correct equipment to do their jobs.”

The First Responders are volunteers trained by St John Ambulance but are called out by the Great Western Ambulance Service.

Catherine Ramsier, the unit leader for the Devizes First Responders, said: “If GWAS gets a 999 call and the paramedic can’t get there within the target eight minutes then we get a call.

“It is always a bit scary, but once you see the patient, the training kicks in and you just get on with it.”

Currently, there are three members of the unit – Ms Ramsier, Stephen Nutt and Vicky Roberts. A fourth team member is completing his training.

Ms Ramsier said the council’s donation would make a real difference to their work. “It could perhaps be the difference between a life saved and a life lost,” she said.