RETAINED firefighters at Pickering, Helmsley and Lythe have now responded to over 150 life-threatening emergencies as Emergency First Responders.

A recent review of the scheme shows that the Emergency First Responders have attended 28 instances of breathing difficulties, four cardiac arrests, and 35 instances of chest pain along with other incident types

The pilot scheme, which is a joint initiative between Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust and North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, means an Emergency First Responder is dispatched at the same time as an ambulance.

Their location within local communities often means they are nearer to the scene in those first critical minutes of a medical emergency, delivering life-saving care until an ambulance clinician arrives.

Each EFR has been trained in basic life support, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and oxygen therapy.

The review covers the period from April 1, 2016 and March 31 this year,