They are often the first to arrive on the scene of an accident, many times before an ambulance. That's why they are called First Responders.

January 27th through 29th the Southern Saskatchewan First Responders Conference comes to Moose Jaw. Conference committee member Bill Cook talked about the conference.

"It's a conference that's been going to 17 years. We have skill sessions, lecture and demonstration sessions running to help keep our volunteer First Responders trained and up to speed on the current training status."

Each year the conference brings together volunteer First Responders together to not only refresh what they know, but also learn new skills.

"This year the skills are refreshers on trauma. There are some new ones for PCPs, Primary Care Paramedics, are actually getting some news skills on manual defibrillation. So we have a introductory session on that for them."

Cook said it's important for these skills to be learned and refreshed, especially for rural areas where the First Responders could be able to save a life.

The conference, which sees between 150 and 250 attendees each year, will be held at the Heritage Inn.