Fears for future of life-savers

First responders needing extra help

Fears have been expressed about the future of Dunblane’s First Responder service.

Trossachs Search and Rescue (TSR) has been providing the service in Dunblane since October.

Its members stepped in after it was confirmed Dunblane First Responders (DFR) – who had provided an emergency response service in the town – were no longer able to carry out the work.

However, TSR say without extra resources they will only able to provide the service until the end of March when they have responsibilities elsewhere.

DFR had been providing a service in the Dunblane area for over 10 years, and typically had dozens of volunteers.

However, the group has since diminished and now has only three trustees - rendering them unable to provide a first responder service.

It is expected that the group’s trustees will meet in March to formally dissolve the organisation.

Dunblane Community Council is currently pushing for TSR to receive the green light from the Scottish Ambulance Service to extend their cover to Dunblane so they can begin recruiting and training new volunteers.

TSR has also been providing a first responder service in rural Stirling, including Doune and Callander, since 2009.

Stirling MP Stephen Kerr and Mid Scotland and Fife Tory MSP Alexander Stewart have written to the chief executive of the Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) Pauline Howie, to express their concern.

They have also asked SAS to contact TSR, and local community bodies to ensure that a long-term future for a first responder service can be secured.

Community council chair David Prescott had previously written to SAS in November to stress the council’s concern about the situation - but said he did not receive a reply.

Clackmannanshire and Dunblane SNP MSP Keith Brown said: “I am keen to support efforts to secure the future of first responder cover in Dunblane, and following the folding of Dunblane First Responders and in support of community efforts to find a way forward.

“I have written to the Scottish Ambulance Service to seek their support for extending the extent of cover provided by Trossachs Search and Rescue to cover that previously covered by Dunblane First Responders.

“I very much hope the Scottish Ambulance Service, Trossachs Search and Rescue and community can work together to make this work, and ensure potentially lifesaving first responder cover can continue to be provided in the Dunblane area.”

An SAS spokesperson said: “We are committed to providing a safe and effective level of response in Dunblane at all times and will always look to dispatch an ambulance in the event of an emergency call.

“Community Responder groups provide a vital role in the chain of survival, which is why cover for this area is being provided by Trossachs Search and Rescue Team while discussions are ongoing about the future of the Dunblane First Responders.”