A charity which saves lives in the Black Country has been commended by the Mayor of Dudley.

Community first responder charity FastAid Black Country was invited to attend a special reception at Dudley Council House with the Mayor, Councillor Alan Finch, to allow him to express his admiration for their work.

Community first responder volunteers are trained to a nationally recognised medical standard to attend emergency calls received by the ambulance service and provide potentially lifesaving treatment until the ambulance arrives.  As they live locally, first responders are often the first on the scene and can take immediate action.

FastAid Black Country is a self-funded charity.  In 2013 the 57 FastAid Black Country volunteers attended more than 1,000 emergency call-outs made to the West Midlands Ambulance Service.

Councillor Alan Finch, Mayor of Dudley, said:

“It was an honour to meet volunteers from FastAid.  They give up their spare time to literally save local people’s lives and I am in awe of their dedication. 

“The volunteers explained to me how in an emergency situation, like a cardiac arrest, every second counts.  For every minute that ticks by with no active treatment, the chance of successful resuscitation drops by 10 per cent.  Even if the first responders arrive just one minute before the ambulance crew they have given that patient another 10 per cent chance of life.

“It was a delight to meet the team and to thank them, on behalf of the borough, for their commitment.”

FastAid Black Country volunteers attend 999 calls through the West Midlands Ambulance Service in Dudley, Stourbridge, Halesowen, Sandwell, Wolverhampton, Bilston, Walsall and Aldridge.

For more details on the charity go to www.fastaidblackcountry.org.uk