A local woman recently visited Newcastle Emlyn fire station to thank the co-responder team who saved her life.

Delyth Davies suffered a cardiac arrest in Cenarth Chapel on January 25. The co-responder attended the scene, where Crew Manager Davies and Firefighter Pugh administered two shocks.

Delyth and her family visited the station to meet the co-responder team, Crew Manager Gethin Davies and Firefighter Daryl Pugh who saved Delyth’s life earlier in the year.

The evening was a very special occasion for station personnel, who, in the last eight months have saved the lives of two other cardiac arrest patients and received letters of commendation for their actions.

Delyth’s husband Huw said: “Following the initial 999 call the co-responder crew were on scene within nine minutes. If it wasn’t for the CPR carried out by members of the public prior to the responder’s arrival and the subsequent defibrillation and further CPR administered by the responder crew, she would definitely not be with us today.”

Delyth said: “I am forever in their debt and they are an invaluable service to our community.”

The Welsh Ambulance Service’s First Responder Officer, Steve Roberts, said: “We are pleased that Mrs Davies has recovered well. The partnership between ourselves and Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service has been in place for several years and the actions of the co-responder team have helped to save Mrs Davies’ life.

“We are grateful to them for the valuable support they provide to the Welsh Ambulance Service and to their communities.”

Crews from Newcastle Emlyn Fire Station opened their doors for their annual station open day on June 28, raising £1,580 for the Firefighters Charity

The event also saw the opening of the station’s new co-responder garage, officially opened by County Councillor Hazel Evans and funded in part by local community donations.

The new co-responder garage will be a valuable asset for the community of Newcastle Emlyn, which has already benefited from the emergency vehicle for some time.

The co-responder vehicle was born out of a partnership with the Welsh Ambulance Service, whereby Fire Service personnel assist the Trust by providing life support on scene in isolated locations and responding to calls in support of the Welsh Ambulance Service.