New Community First Responders (CFR) group is first one in the county
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The Mullingar Community First Responders at their launch event on Saturday week last, (back from left) Tammy commons, Brian McCabe, Hazel Stakem, Niall Brennan, Gráinne Brady, David Stafford, Sandra Smith and Eithne Hannon; (front) Siobhan Campion, Darren Mills, Irene Lynch, Margaret Coyle, Martin Coyle, Margaret McDonald, Breda Ward and Mary Shaw.Image 2 of 5
David Stafford, speaking, with demonstrating life saving techniques (from left) Martin Coyle, Margaret Coyle and Darren Mills. Photos: Sarah Jane Foster/SJF productionsImage 3 of 5
Martin Coyle, David Stafford, Margaret Coyle and Darren Mills.Image 4 of 5
At the launch of the Mullingar Community First Responders Group last week were, (from left)John Kenny, Gda Fiona Walsh, Mullingar Community Policing Unit, Irene Lynch, David Stafford, Sandra Smith, Margaret McDonald, and Tom Allen, manager, Mullingar Credit Union.Image 5 of 5
Gda Fiona Walsh, Mullingar Community Policing Unit, David Stafford, Willie Penrose, TD, Brian McCabe and Breda Ward.The local emergency services are now being reinforced by the addition of the Mullingar Community First Responders (CFR), who went live with the National Ambulance Service (NAS) on September 1.
The Mullingar group had their launch night on Saturday November 30 last at the Annebrook House Hotel – and to follow that up, they’re having a fundraising event this coming Saturday, December 14, at Kerrigan’s Bar and Lounge on Harbour Street.
Mullingar CFR are connected to the National Ambulance Service by emergency phone and receive text messages direct from the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) in Tallaght. The group respond to incidents of cardiac arrest, heart attack and chest pain or stroke and choking within a 5km radius of the town.
There are currently 20 members in the team, who are on a rota system of three days on and nine days off. They are available 24 hours a day, and their main duty in an emergency situation is to stabilise the patient until the ambulance arrives.
Group members work in four teams of four and the total of 20 members includes supplementary staff and training instructors.
David Stafford, co-ordinator, of Mullingar CFR, was motivated to set the group up from his own experience of having a heart attack five years ago and he “thought there was the need for a group in the town”.
David’s intuition was right, as since September 1 the group have already responded to 44 emergencies, which he says makes Mullingar one of the busiest community first responder groups in the country.
Although it can take years to set up and complete the rigorous process of paperwork and training, Mullingar CFR have completed it in just five months.
All responders are trained to PHECC CFR-C level and have completed garda vetting, critical incident stress management and children’s first training.
Ireland is a world leader at present as 81% of cardiac arrest cases receive bystander CPR. This is largely due to the 253 community first responder groups in the country that are live with the NAS.
Mullingar CFR intend to go one step further by assisting the installation of public access defibrillators in Mullingar.
Currently the only 24 access defibrillator is located at Rochfort’s Superstore on Dominick Street – Mullingar CFR would like to raise the number to at least five early next year. The group have already had contact about installing defibrillators from Mullingar Credit Union, the Annebrook House Hotel and Brian Fagan of Brian’s Treasure Chest on Castle Street.
The defibrillators will prove valuable over the next two years when the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann is in town, said David.
Mullingar CFR will be holding a fundraising night in Kerrigan’s on Harbour Street from 9pm this Saturday, December 14, when there will be music and fun, as well as information about what they do.
Members will also be on the streets to raise funds for the public access defibrillators.
Donations
Mullingar CFR also accept donations and can be contacted by emailing mullingarcfr@gmail.com, on Facebook – Mullingar Community First Responders or call David Stafford on 087 23 87 394.
David said: “Mullingar CFR would like to thank all of who have supported us so far.”