Speaker: David Stubbs and Gareth Mason (First Responders)

The photo shows Tywyn and Bryncrug First Responders Gareth Mason and David Stubbs receiving a cheque for £100 from the President of the Rotary Club of Tywyn, Steph.

(By the way – sorry about the poor photo – the reflective strips on Gareth’s trousers were incredibly reflective, and defeated the flash on my camera!)

Rotarians received an excellent and informative talk from Gareth and David concerning the role of First Responders, who are all volunteers, and how they integrate with other emergency services, such as ambulance, Coast Guard and paramedics, covering an area within a 7 mile radius of Tywyn. The role of a First Responder is to provide a speedy response to a medical emergency and support the patient until an ambulance arrives. There are currently 7 trained First Responders with a further 8 under training. With a full complement cover will be provided in our area for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Since their first day of operation, on 2nd August, the First Responders have received to date 27 call-outs.

Gareth and David demonstrated the comprehensive kit bag carried by a First Responder (containing £800 worth of kit), plus an Automated External Defibrillator (cost £1150), essential for immediate treatment in the case of heart attack.

The First Responders provide a vital local service, particularly in view of the fact that it could well be a good half hour at least before an ambulance arrives, and in many cases the first few minutes are vital to long term well-being. If anyone wishes to volunteer, to further strengthen the service, then you will be very welcome.

The Rotary Club of Tywyn was pleased to hand to the First Responders a cheque for £100 to help fund the service. This money is your money, received from you by the Rotary Club, so on behalf of the Club, thank you very much for your generosity.