Voluntary emergency response charity reports 54% increase in calls during 2025

Eva Osborne

CRITICAL, a leading voluntary emergency medical response charity, has reported a 54 per cent increase in calls during 2025.

The charity responded to more than 2,000 incidents in one year for the first time. Its volunteers attended 2,022 medical and trauma emergency calls last year, up from 1,308 in 2024.

The types of calls included chest pain, cardiac arrests, strokes, road traffic collisions, falls and choking incidents.

CRITICAL volunteers in Dublin responded to 493 separate incidents during 2025, followed by 376 calls in Cork, 165 in Tipperary, 120 calls in Donegal, and 112 in Waterford.

Chief executive of the CRITICAL charity, David Tighe, said: “Behind every one of these calls is a person having one of the worst days of their lives and a volunteer responder willing to step forward.

"A 54 per cent increase in the number of calls is a clear indication of the demand on our emergency services and the impact our growing network of volunteers is having across the country.

"I am incredibly proud of our volunteers, they are doctors, paramedics, EMTs and Community First Responders, who give their time, skills and expertise to support their local communities.

"This year we plan to launch new CFR groups in Kilkenny, Clare, Tipperary, and Cork. We receive no Government funding and rely on public donations to provide and expand our life-saving services.”