Group in Douglas responds to more than two dozen callouts in first month

A new Community First Responder (CFR) group established in Cork city has responded to more than two dozen callouts in its first month of operation.

The CFR group, established by the charity CRITICAL in Douglas, has been operating for four weeks, with a team of eight people responding to cardiac arrests and other life-changing emergencies across Cork.

Since its establishment, the fully trained volunteers, who come from a wide range of backgrounds including healthcare, emergency services, business and retirees, have been tasked to 25 incidents.

The team is alerted by the National Ambulance Service to cardiac arrests, heart attacks, strokes, and choking incidents in Douglas and its surrounding areas, including Farmer’s Cross, Frankfield, Rochestown, Moneygurney, and Ballinlough.

Douglas CFR co-ordinator Alan Barry said he is “grateful” for the support of CRITICAL and the National Ambulance Service.

“Douglas is a large area with a population of 40,000 people,” said Mr Barry.

Our team is living here, they are active in their local communities, and are committed to responding to people when they need us most.

“CRITICAL charity has provided us with the best of equipment to be able to care for people in their darkest moments.

“We are very grateful for their support and the support of the National Ambulance Service.” said CRITICAL chief executive David Tighe, explaining that when a medical emergency happens, “minutes can feel like hours”.

“CFR groups ensure that help comes from nearby, from a neighbour, colleague, or someone who knows the community and cares about it,” said Mr Tighe.

“These volunteers bring compassion, reassurance, and life-saving care to people when they are most vulnerable.

“The CRITICAL CFR Douglas group is an important addition to our network of responders across the country and they are already making a real difference to their local communities.” 

Ger O’Dea, national community engagement manager with the National Ambulance Service, said working alongside charities such as CRITICAL has “helped us to enhance our capabilities in communities across Ireland, and we are delighted to further our collaboration with the charity to establish Douglas CFR, another valuable link in the chain of survival”.