A NEW lifesaving service was launched in St Davids last week.

A brand new co-responder unit was unveiled on top of the cathedral steps on Tuesday, April 21.

The project is a partnership between Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service and the Welsh Ambulance Service.

It will see fire crews provide lifesaving support to people in rural locations until the arrival of either a Rapid Response Vehicle or an ambulance. Fire crews are highly trained in trauma and emergency care and co-responder vehicles are fully equipped, carrying oxygen and defibrillators. They will be in operation 24 hours a day and 365 days a year.

County Councillor Wynne Evans, the Deputy Chair of the Mid and West Wales Fire Authority, said: “What we have achieved here is the first of many co-responder schemes being unveiled by the fire service and the Welsh Ambulance Service.

“I am grateful to our first class crew in St Davids Fire Station, senior fire service personnel, the Welsh ambulance service and the city council. Their dedication and commitment to this project has been outstanding.”

Cllr Evans also thanked Roy and Pat Thomas, who have been first responders in St Davids and Solva for many years.

He said: “You’ve been outstanding.

“I am very happy now that this area is going to benefit from lives being saved, as you’ve saved many lives over the years.”

As well as the unveiling of the new co-responder unit, a fundraising campaign was launched to raise £15,000 to purchase a dedicated 4x4 vehicle for the city. It kicked off with a cheque presentation of just over £600 made to St Davids Fire Station Watch Manager Les Owen by the treasurer of St Davids First Responders, Iris Renwick.

An additional £100 was donated by Richard Thomas Fencing.

Mr Owen said: “Thank you for all of the support we’ve had over the months to get this up and running and I hope that it will carry on in the vein of Roy and Pat.”