HAVE you ever wanted to find out about the work of Benfleet’s emergency heroes?

The Benfleet First Responders offer pre-hospital care to patients in the critical early minutes following a heart attack, chest pains, fitting or if they become unconscious.

The charity is now offering to give presentations at community groups in Castle Point about their work.

Volunteer David Flood, said: “We really want to get out in to the community and let them know about the kinds of work we do.

“The presentations last about half an hour and are given by our volunteers.”

The Benfleet First Responders was set up in February 2005 and volunteers have helped more than 2,500 patients.

The groups of volunteers receive training in Basic Life Support and are given an automatic defibrillator AED (machine to shock the heart) by the Ambulance Service.

They aim to help people within the first eight minutes of an emergency and are sent to patients by the 999 operator while the NHS ambulance arrives.

The group is completely selffunded and ask for a small donation from each of the presentations they give.

To become a First Responder you must be over the age of 18, hold a full driving licence, attend an intensive two day training event, undergo a Criminal Record check and various other paper applications.

To book a presentation or to apply to be a First Responder call 07803 796588.