QUICKER treatment in medical emergencies is the objective of the new Northlew First Responder group which is about to be set up. A group of volunteers got together in the village to set up the group which will work with the Westcountry Ambulance Trust to attend patients who need care, where they will be able to respond quicker than an ambulance crew. In order to set up the group a large fundraising effort has been needed. So far, the group has raised around £1,500 of the £2,000 they need and say they are extremely grateful to everyone who has contributed. Group co-ordinator Derek Humphreys said the group is hoping to be set up in early June, when they will go live with the Westcountry Ambulance Trust?s operational headquarters. Mr Humphreys said all the members had received full training, firstly with a paramedic and then as part of an ambulance crew. Mr Humphreys said the group was building up to having nine members, which would then allow them to provide around the clock cover. ?We are all volunteers from Northlew. Some of the members are nurses or trainee nurses, have a background in Dartmoor Rescue or have first aid experience.? Mr Humphreys said the group would carry lots of specialist equipment which would enable them to administer oxygen and provide defibrillation treatment. The group will cover a four-mile radius of the village of Northlew, going out to Highampton, the outskirts of Hatherleigh and Ashbury. The group intends to meet once a month, to carry out further exercises and discuss any operational issues. Mr Humphreys said he wanted to thank the whole of the village for the support they had given to the fundraising campaign. ?An awful lot of people have been very generous,? he said. If you would like to find out more about Northlew First Responder group, you can contact Mr Humphreys on 01409 221538.
