Seeking help to save lives

The number of volunteer community first responders covering Southwell has dwindled to just four, raising concern they may not be able to provide round-the-clock cover.

The volunteer group responds to emergencies, providing care such as defibrillation for heart attack patients, Epipens for those who have had allergic reactions and help for those with breathing difficulties before an ambulance arrives.

In the ten years it has been running it has responded to 1,030 emergency call-outs and in at least two cases it is believed the use of a defibrillator has helped to save a life.

It provides cover from 8am to 10pm. After 10pm it is taken over by retained firefighters from Southwell Fire Station.

The group’s secretary, Mrs Susan Stankovic, said they were looking for new members to enable them to ensure the town was covered during the day.

She said: “We are struggling but from what the manager at the ambulance service is telling me, it is not easy at the moment for any of the groups.

“We give what cover we can and any cover is better than none.

“The four volunteers are giving a lot of their time to ensure there is cover most of the time but come the summer months some of them will have lifestyle changes that means they won’t have as much free time.

“It is important to have volunteers but you have to be a special kind of person to be able to do it.”

Mrs Stankovic said new volunteers would be fully trained and be accompanied by others until they felt comfortable attending calls on their own.

She said: “They have to do two full weekends training with East Midlands Ambulance Service before they can go on calls and they have to be comfortable with being submitted for a CRB check.”

Three members who helped found the group, previously known as Southwell Defibrillator Group, in 2002 have retired.

Mr and Mrs Bernard Meade and Mr John Parlatt will be presented with a letter of thanks from Southwell Town Council to mark the occasion.

Mrs Stankovic said: “It is worthy of recognition. The letter is a good way of saying thank you for what they have done.”

Anyone wishing to join the group should contact Mrs Stankovic or the group’s co-ordinator, Mr Mario Stankovic, on 01636 814494.