AN APPEAL has been launched to recruit volunteers for a Community First Responder Scheme in Cam and Dursley.

The scheme, organised by Gloucestershire Ambulance Service, allows trained members of the public to respond to 999 calls so that basic life support and care can be provided until an ambulance arrives.

Such schemes are already operational in Berkeley and Wotton-under-Edge - where it was originally piloted - as well as in many other towns across the county.

Assistant divisional officer of the ambulance service Kevin Dickens said that the scheme would suit people who either live or work in Cam and Dursley.

He explained: "Ideally we are looking for 12-15 enthusiastic volunteers, which, we hope, could give us cover 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

"People can volunteer for whatever period of time they can afford to give up and can make themselves available as and when they can."

Full training will be provided and volunteers will automatically become a member of the St John Ambulance upon joining.

Added Mr Dickens: "Volunteers will only end up answering perhaps one or two calls a week, so it isn't a large workload. We aren't replacing the ambulance service - we are here to help them."

When an incident occurs an ambulance is mobilised immediately but the operator will also contact the community responder and tell him or her what has happened.

This often means that the responder can get to a patient several minutes before the paramedics to administer first aid.

Mr Dickens said: "For someone having a heart attack those few minutes of care can mean the difference between life and death."

Community responders will not be sent to road traffic accidents, known violent situations and emergencies involving children of 12 and under.

They will have their own T-shirt uniform and have to carry identification.

However, if the community responders are required to use their car in the line of duty, they must keep within the law.

To help launch the scheme in Cam and Dursley Dursley Lions Club has raised a total of £4,000 which has been presented to the ambulance service.

Anyone interested in becoming a community responder can find out more by calling 01452 414444.