A COMMUNITY group that supports the ambulance service will soon be opening a special centre to hold public lifesaving training sessions.

Canvey First Responders is launching its centre at 353 Long Road, Canvey, on June 9 and June 10 from noon until 3pm.

First Responders is a group of volunteers who work alongside the East of England Ambulance Service by responding to emergency 999 calls.

They are usually first on the scene to incidents such as strokes, heart attacks and choking.

The group said it will soon be offering free training sessions for CPR and also using defibrillators.

Mick Allwood, group coordinator, said: “This is a unique idea for us, and it is unusual for a first responders group.

“We are setting a standard in the East of England with this new hub. We will be using the hub for our own training sessions when needed but also for the public sessions.

“We will be offering life saving training sessions and also defibrillator awareness.

“We have now put eight defibrillators out in the community but there is a lack of knowledge and awareness from residents about using them.

“We are hoping to stop people from being worried about using a defibrillator with our training.

“People don’t know how to do CPR or use defibrillators when someone is having a cardiac arrest and these skills are so important for people to know.

“We are behind other countries in this respect.”

Mr Allwood said the training is known as Heart Start and the sessions will be like dropin events.

He said that the group will be renting the premises but didn’t want to reveal how much the centre will cost the group.

Mr Allwood told The Echo that the group has received sponsorship to cover the first year’s rent from island businesses including Aspect, an asbestos specialist, and the owners of Thorney Bay Caravan Park.

The community group has invited a number of VIPs and special guests to the launch event, including councillors and Rebecca Harris, MP for Castle Point.

For more on the group see canveyfirstresponders.org.uk