A CAMPAIGN has been launched to recruit community first responders (CFRs).

The volunteers can be asked by the ambulance service to attend incidents and provide help ahead of a crew arriving at the scene.

Yorkshire Ambulance Service has produced a video, viewable at youtube.com/watch?v=EPIMK4YH5_M., as part of the recruitment drive.

The five-minute video features a cardiac arrest scenario, with a CFR providing life-saving treatment.

“Not all call-outs are as serious as this but the video illustrates the value of the volunteers – who are trained to respond to emergencies in their local communities,” said Darren Lee, interim head of community resilience with Yorkshire Ambulance Service.

“We currently have a team of around 900 volunteers who belong to 340 CFR schemes across Yorkshire, responding to an average of 16,000 calls every year. They are a valued aspect of the emergency response we provide to our patients.

“The larger our team, the more coverage we can give to our communities and the more calls CFRs will be able to attend.”

Craven is among areas where more volunteers are particularly needed, but recruitment is taking place in most parts of Yorkshire.

CFRs need to be 18 or over, have a full driving licence and access to a vehicle, and be prepared to undertake training and occupational health screening. No previous medical experience is necessary.

For further information and to apply, visit communityresponders.yas.nhs.uk or e-mail yas.responders@nhs.net.