RESIDENTS in the Bromsgrove area are being urged to become lifesavers.

Caring people with the ability to handle stressful situations are being offered training to be first on the scene to treat heart attack patients and those with equally life-threatening conditions.

Hereford and Worcester Ambulance Service is calling for volunteers from Wythall, Stoke Prior, Stoke Heath, Lickey End and Hollywood to join the Community First Responder scheme.

When trained, volunteers will be armed with portable defibrillators ready to attend emergency situations near their homes.

Community defibrillation officer Michelle Brotherton said: "When someone suffers a cardiac arrest their chances of survival drop by up to ten per cent for every minute that passes. The volunteer responders will be able to get to cardiac patients very quickly and treat them until the qualified paramedics arrive. It's a really exciting programme," she added.

Ideal candidates will have a good knowledge of the local area and a clean driving licence and will be expected to go through the normal security checks

The full training will cover the use of defibrillators, as well as assessing patients, oxygen therapy and airway management. This will lead to a recognised qualification.

Unison branch chairman Andy Kibble said: "Community First Responders within the Hereford and Worcester Ambulance Service NHS Trust is moving us forward into the 21st century.

"Responders add a new dimension to the way that we deliver care to our patients saving vital life saving minutes, especially with coronary heart attack victims."

Volunteers should apply for an application pack by contacting human resources on 01905 765005 before the closing date on September 2. For more information contact Michelle Brotherton on 07977 989615 or 01905 765150.