RESIDENTS of Thornbury may be unaware of it, but they have a service which is a life-saver - literally. Thornbury First Responder Scheme provides immediate care to members of the community who are showing signs of heart attack or have suffered a collapse. The Gazette discovered more about the scheme and the vital service it provides.

MORE than 300,000 people have heart attacks in England every year.

Indeed chest pains and other heart-related conditions account for a large percentage of all 999 calls and cardiac arrest is the single leading cause of sudden death.

Time is the crucial factor in these life-threatening situations - from the onset of collapse, and the patient's heart stopping, the chances of survival reduce by 10 per cent every minute.

Research has shown early defibrillation is the most important factor affecting survival of patients in cardiac arrest.

If the collapsed patient receives effective CPR (cardio-pulmonary resuscitation) and early defibrillation within the first few minutes of the heart stopping, chances of survival are greatly improved.

First responders are trained to the Institute of Health Care and Development First Person on Scene standards and attend emergency calls received by the ambulance service, providing life-saving care in the vital minutes prior to the arrival of the ambulance.

They are trained in cardio-pulmonary resuscitation and the use of an automatic external defibrillator, a machine which delivers a controlled electric shock to restart the heart.

In the Avon area first responders cover a wide range of emergencies - in fact the only emergencies they do not deal with are childbirth and motorway incidents.

Each community responder scheme is equipped with a defibrillator to provide the most effective treatment for the cardiac patient.

Research has proved the earlier this treatment begins the better chance of a positive outcome for the patient.

First responders also carry a range of first aid equipment and can deliver oxygen therapy if required.

Each scheme is appointed an ambulance service community first responder co-ordinator - a dedicated member of Avon Ambulance Service staff is available to provide support, guidance and a vital link between volunteers and the ambulance service.

All volunteers have access to comprehensive training, debrief and counselling services.

The ambulance service also provides the basic equipment first responders require and in Thornbury also provides the car and picks up the running costs of the vehicle.

Community First Responder Groups need help to raise funds to supplement and replace as needed the basic equipment supplied by Avon Ambulance Service.

The Thornbury group is committed to ensuring all within the group, who are trained in the use of a defibrillator, will carry their own kit, which will enhance and maximise the cover it can offer.

It is the group's goal that any person suffering a collapse within the Thornbury area will have a resuscitation attempt initiated prior to the arrival of the front line ambulance, ideally less than six minutes.

The group has also appealed to the public to make sure house numbers and/or names are visible from the road especially at night to help the scheme and the front line ambulance find destinations quicker.

When an emergency call is received at the emergency medical despatch centre, an ambulance is despatched immediately.

At the same time a first responder, if on-call in the area, is paged or phoned with relevant details and despatched to the incident.

The first responder will be closer to the scene and therefore usually able to arrive before paramedics.

As the chances of survival diminish rapidly - minutes are vital - the role of the volunteer in reaching the emergency early is extremely important and can be life saving.

On the arrival of paramedics the first responder passes on vital information to the crew on the patient's condition.

First responders continue to be an active member of the life saving team.

Paramedics use advance techniques to stabilise the patient before transportation to hospital.

Larry Cauchi, area co-ordinator of Thornbury First Responder Scheme, explained all first responders were unpaid volunteers, using their own time to provide extra emergency care cover to local communities, attend first responder training courses and accompany professional crews on duty to enhance their skills and knowledge of patient care.

Although first responders come from all walks of the community, whilst on duty they operate strictly under the guidelines and control of Avon Ambulance Service, he explained.

The group would like to see more potential members come forward, to provide greater cover.

Mr Cauchi said there was no commitment to fixed periods of duty, if people could give four hours or 40 hours a week to the scheme, it was appreciated.

Any potential first responder must complete the training and gain first hand experience dealing with emergencies and patients whilst in the company of paramedics before being allowed to operate, he explained.

At present Mr Cauchi is the Thornbury scheme's only volunteer.

"I am desperate for more volunteers," he explained.

The scheme is still in its infancy and is developing under the support of Avon Ambulance Service, which provides first responders with emergency equipment, vehicles and uniform.

First responder community schemes are able to raise funds under the Avon Ambulance Service charitable status.

This money will be used to buy and maintain extra equipment.

In Thornbury £1,700 has been raised in three months, including £500 from Oldbury Power Station, £450 from the Co-op, £150 from Ladbrooks, £300 from the Round Table and £300 raised from a prize raffle.

There are five schemes within Avon Ambulance's operation area - Thornbury, Portishead, Bath, Weston-Super-Mare and Midsommer Norton. The first scheme started about two years ago.

The Thornbury group was established just over a year ago.

Pete Sadler, Avon Amulance's Community First Response co-ordinator, said: "Local Community First Responders provide valuable early assistance to calls for help in their local area.

"In cases such as cardiac arrest, the earlier that effective treatment can be given, the better the patients chance of survival.

"Community First Responders are trained to give such help, prior to the arrival of the paramedic crew, which in some cases can make a huge difference.

"The scheme is proving very successful, thanks to the efforts of our volunteers and the ambulance staff supporting them and we are keen to expand it to other communities within our area".

Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer for the scheme should e-mail first.responders@avonambulance.nhs.uk or call ambulance headquarters on 0117 927 7046.