AVON – A first-responder informational meeting for people in the Avon, Madrid and Phillips area will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 19, at the Opportunity Center.

Sponsored by Northstar EMS, the meeting is open to anyone who is interested in a career in the emergency medical field. First responders are trained to perform lifesaving skills and patient care until an ambulance arrives on the scene.

Representatives from AmeriCorp, Northstar EMS and Sandy River Ambulance Association will be on hand to answer questions.

First responders are also volunteers who respond when they are available and who will be equipped with pagers or radios by Franklin Memorial Hospital, organizers of the meeting said.

The hospital is offering two free classes for those interested in becoming a first responder for AMPS Ambulance.

The first class will begin Feb. 28 at Mount Abram High School. Classes will be Mondays and Thursdays from 6 to 10 p.m., and a few Saturdays. More information about this class may be obtained by calling the instructor, Beth Scott, at 778-9052.

The second class will begin March 7 at the Farmington Fire Station, and will run from 6:30 to 10 p.m. The instructor, Carol Pillsbury, may be contacted at 778-6951.

More information also may be obtained by contacting Tim Hardy at 778-5892 or AMPS Ambulance at 639-3830.