New first responder group is set up in North Cork area

A new North Cork community group is hoping to help save the lives of their neighbours as they establish a new first responder group.

The Emergency Medical Response Charity CRITICAL has established the Community First Responder group to cover the Duhallow area of North Cork, who will respond to 999/112 calls including cardiac arrests, stroke, and breathing difficulties.

The Blackwater CFR group will cover an area that spans 147 square miles in total which includes towns such as Millstreet, Banteer, Rathmore, Ballydesmond and Kiskeam.

The group currently has 10 active and fully-trained responders with an additional 13 in training, including people from the local fire service, factory workers, IT workers and the HSE.

Witnessed

Donie Lucey, a fundraising support officer with CRITICAL is among the people who set up the Blackwater CFR group.

He said that he had witnessed first-hand the benefits of having responders in an area.

“Our volunteers can be at the scene in minutes providing vital treatment to a patient before the ambulance arrives.

“The training that our volunteers receive is fantastic and only recently one of our Blackwater CFR volunteers put his skills to use when one of his relatives began choking. The biggest reward for us is knowing that we’ve helped save the life of someone in our community, whether that be a friend, family or neighbour.”

Donie is also a member of the Millstreet Vintage Club which recently raised €12,500 in support of CRITICAL, funds which will ensure the group has access to lifesaving equipment when they respond to a 999 call in the area, such as defibrillators and training equipment.

These funds will also ensure the group’s life support bags can be kept fully stocked with disposable medical products, like breathing assistance tools and defibrillator pads.

David Tighe, CEO of CRITICAL, added: “The Blackwater CFR group is the latest addition to the charity’s network which is expanding its presence around Ireland.

“We have seen the impact of our CFR groups in other areas and I am sure that this latest group will be a major benefit to the North Cork area.”

For information on joining contact info@criticalcharity.ie. See https://criticalcharity.ie/ or call 021 4190 999 to donate.