Automatic emergency care for heart attack victims will soon be available in the centre of Baildon thanks to a joint initiative by the parish council and local First Responders.

The council has voted to spend £1,000 to buy an automatic external defibrillator (AED) which will be located in the busy Towngate area.

Baildon gained its first Community First Responder last year when resident Rob Higgie trained to undertake the role within a few-mile radius of his home.

Thanks to the work of Mr Higgie in promoting the scheme, several other volunteers have stepped forward to become First Responders in the area.

When on duty, which is a role Responders undertake voluntarily, help can be on its way to victims swiftly because Responders live locally and can often reach the patient within a few minutes – usually faster than an ambulance would be able to get there.

The parish council has also announced an award of £300 to the Yorkshire Ambulance-backed scheme, which is going from strength to strength in the Shipley area.

“These funds will allow the training of new and existing First Responders to take place at a venue in the local community, rather than travelling out of the district,” said parish chairman Joe Ashton.

Community First Responders carry equipment which can be used to treat somebody with an emergency health complaint. They are able to make a first assessment and, if necessary, can administer potentially life-saving interventions such as an electric shock from a defibrillator if somebody is suffering a heart attack.

“The parish council has pledged a further £1,000 to purchase an additional AED, which will be available for use by any member of the public, whether trained or untrained,” Coun Ashton said. “It is proposed to locate this clever device in the Towngate area, where there is high footfall. It will be accessible at all times and will provide step-by-step instructions to the user.

“I’m delighted that Baildon Parish Council has decided to commit funds to help this grass-roots initiative and we are pleased to be working in partnership with the ambulance service and its committed team of volunteers. The benefits of this work will be very worthwhile.”

First Responder Mr Higgie said everyone could see the benefit of such a relatively low-cost investment.

“This is splendid news from Baildon Parish Council and it’s profoundly positive for the community,” he said.

For more information, visit communityresponders.yas.nhs.uk