EMERGENCY responders in Radnorshire who were stood down from attending 999 calls last month are back out doing what they do best – saving lives.

The Rhayader First Responders scheme was suspended on September 29 by the Welsh Ambulance Service Trust (WAST), who confirmed it had mutually agreed to temporarily pause St John Ambulance Cymru cover in Rhayader and the surrounding community until “operational matters” could be resolved.

The exact reason for the service suspension was and remains shrouded in mystery – all anyone seemed to know was that it was down to undisclosed issues.

Local residents and organisations were simultaneously furious and fearful about what the decision would mean for emergency medical cover in the area, but on Saturday (October 29) it was announced that the popular and vital service was back up and running.

“Fantastic news. Rhayader St John First Responders are back up and running and available to attend 999 calls in town and the surrounding areas,” Rhayader Town Council announced in a post on its Facebook page on Saturday afternoon.

“We would like to thank everyone who made representations to the Welsh Ambulance Service, in particular mayor David Davies, Cllr Angela Davies and Fay Jones MP.

“Lastly, we would like to send a massive thank you to our local volunteer responders; we appreciate this has been a difficult time, when all you ever wanted to do was help save lives. The people of Rhayader and district really do appreciate all your efforts and thank you all so much.”

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The news garnered huge interest, attracting close to 250 likes and multiple responses.

“Thank heavens for this wonderful news,” was Zoe Powell’s simple but poignant reply.

“Fantastic news, such a valuable service for the local community and from unpaid volunteers who put themselves out for the better good of others,” added Jamie Jones.

Jane Rowe posted: “Wonderful news!! Thank you to everyone involved in restoring this vital service. Rhayader at its best.”

And Mal Oxley said: “Fantastic news. I didn't hesitate to put in a complaint. We all need and appreciate you all.”

Jess Hughes, who herself is a local volunteer community first responder, said: “Thank you to everyone for your support over the past 4 weeks – it really means so much to us.”

Rhayader Town Council had blasted the WAST decision as “ill thought out”, moving quickly to rectify the situation.

The council, together with the mayor and county council representative Cllr Davies, mobilised, reaching out to Brecon and Radnorshire MP Fay Jones, who they held a meeting with on October 20.

“We shared our concerns, the current situation and the potentially life-threatening consequences of this decision,” said the town council.

“We are fighting this as hard as we can and feel that the information being provided by the Welsh Ambulance Service and St John Cymru just isn't adequate and Fay has confirmed that she will be requesting an URGENT meeting with the chief executive of the Welsh Ambulance Service immediately.”

Ms Jones herself sent out a tweet, although it was later deleted, tagging Welsh Ambulance Service chief executive Jason Killens. In it she had asked for clarity regarding the Rhayader situation.

The decision to suspend the responder service seemed all the more baffling, judging by how much praise it has been showered with, especially during the difficult years of the pandemic. In an article from March this year we referred to the Rhayader First Responders as “lockdown saints” after the group were crowned Emergency Hero of the Year in the Powys Community Heroes Awards 2022.

St John Ambulance Cymru have been active in and around Rhayader for 80 years and in 1999 the Rhayader First Responders scheme was started – earlier this year volunteers also received long-service and special recognition awards at a ceremony at their Rhayader base.