East of England Ambulance Service Trust marks 20 years of community first responders

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  • Video report by ITV News Anglia's Helen Keenan

The East of England Ambulance Trust is marking 20 years of community first responders.

First responders are the volunteers who usually arrive before the paramedics and very often help save lives.

Shauna Tate is one of 950 community first responders working across the the East of England

She is a full time mother-of-two, but when when she logs on as a first responder from her home in Shadwell, near Thetford, she can sent out at a minute's notice.

Shauna first looked into the role after son became ill with sepsis.

Shauna is a full time mum to her young two children when she's not logged on as first responder. Credit: ITV News Anglia

Shauna received a weekend of intensive training for role, and she can now be called to deal with any medical emergency.

The are 950 community responders working across the East of England. Credit: ITV News Anglia

The East of England Ambulance Service Trust trained more than 300 first responders last year - and is pushing to recruit more.

Volunteers only need to commit to ten hours a month, although they can do more.

The East of England Ambulance Service Trust is pushing to recruit more community first responders. Credit: ITV News Anglia