IT IS not possible to have an ambulance in every town and village ready to respond in the event of an emergency.

But when someone suffers a cardiac arrest they need help immediately – and the sooner they get it the greater their chance of survival.

Experts refer to this as the chain of survival and, like all chains, it is only as good as the weakest link.

For anyone unlucky enough to have a heart attack outside a large town or city the weakest link is usually the time taken to reach them and begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Studies have shown that immediate CPR followed by use of a heart defibrillator dramatically improves the chance of survival.

A scheme which gets help to heart attack victims more quickly has to be a good thing and sometimes a fire-fighter will be on the scene faster than a paramedic.

However, a first responder is no replacement for a paramedic with years of training. A paramedic is able to assess, treat and refer patients to a suitable hospital. Their expertise can be the difference between life and death.

It is important, therefore, that any changes do not dilute the effectiveness of either service.

First responders should not be the excuse for cutbacks.

With this in mind, the plans to sell off ambulance stations in Middleton-in-Teesdale and St John’s Chapel could have been better timed.

But that does not mean the plan is without merit.

In fact the NHS is behind the times. Community first responders are already widely used in Australia and the US to help in the first few minutes of a medical emergency.

Fire-fighters, like ambulance personnel, already perform a tremendous public service which saves countless lives. If an ambulance cannot get there, we can think of none better to be first on the scene.