The Saskatoon Health Region is looking to increase their roster of volunteer first responders.

They will be having a course to certify residents here in Humboldt beginning March 3rd, there will be six different classroom type sessions through out the month.

SHR manager of pre-hospital emergency medical services Sherry Jule explains why they are holding the course.

"We're looking for more volunteer first responders to be part of our first responders team. There are a number of participants that are interested in taking a course around Humboldt so we're going to utilize Humboldt as our location to host this course."

The province has volunteer first responders across the province to assist in dealing with rural emergencies while professional members can attend.

"Given the geographical landscape of Saskatchewan the trip can take some time for the ambulance to arrive so while the ambulance is on the way the first responders who are volunteers who live near or close to the location to the call are also dispatched," Jule explained. "They then go and help stabilize the person until the ambulance arrives."

It takes a special kind of person to become a first responder whether it's as a professional or a volunteer. Jule talks about who is on their team and why she feels they wanted to assist.

"Many are local farmers or ranchers, retirees, volunteer fire department members or just community members who have an interest in being trained. Generally these people are very passionate about their communities and they are very interested in helping where ever they can."

You can register for the course by calling Myla at 306.946.1214 or Leona at 306.682.8190.

The dates are March 3rd, 4th, 5th, 17th, 18th & 19th.

You can hear more from Jule below as well, she spoke with Bolt FM's Ryan McNally.