Awards for life-saving volunteers

LIFE-SAVING volunteers who have attended hundreds of emergency calls in communities throughout South Yorkshire have been recognised for their efforts by bosses at the regional ambulance trust.

By The Newsroom

Published 29th Jun 2011, 07:00 BST

Community first responders are unpaid people who agree to take up training which allows them to attend the scene of a medical emergency and give first aid until paramedics arrive.

They are trained in basic life support, including CPR and are equipped with a kit which includes a defibrillator, which can be used to restart the heart.

Bruce Wilson, from Maltby, Rotherham, who has been volunteering for a decade, was given an award for his contribution to the cause and his work at more than 600 emergency incidents.

Tony Dutton, from Wombwell, Barnsley, was also given an award for his dedication, which has seen him remain a volunteer since 2005, attending more than 300 incidents.

Ambulance service spokesman Emma Scott said: “We know that in many emergencies the first few minutes are critical and if effective treatment can be performed within those first minutes, lives can be saved.”