New First Responder Group Launches

Medical Charity Brings 10 Active Responders To Duhallow Area

The Emergency Medical Response Charity CRITICAL has established a new Community First Responder group to cover the Duhallow area of North Cork.

The Blackwater CFR group will cover an area which spans 147 sq miles in total. This includes towns such as Millstreet, Banteer, Rathmore, Ballydesmond, and Kiskeam. The newly launched group will respond to 999/112 calls including cardiac arrests, stroke, and breathing difficulties.

David Tighe, CEO of CRITICAL, said: “The Blackwater CFR group is the latest addition to the charity’s network which is expanding its presence around Ireland. CRITICAL volunteers are working in conjunction with the National Ambulance Service, providing a quick response to medical emergencies in their communities. 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.”

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

Donie is also a member of the Millstreet Vintage Club which recently raised €12,500 in support of CRITICAL. The funds raised locally will help to 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.

CRITICAL is Ireland’s leading Volunteer Emergency Medical Response charity and its mission is to save lives through a network of volunteer emergency medical responders. In total, the charity has six Community First Responder groups around the country with an additional three due to go live later this year. If anyone would like to join the Blackwater CFR group then they can contact info@criticalcharity.ie For those wishing to donate to CRITICAL or to get involved with the charity, please visit the website www.criticalcharity.ie or call 021 4190 999.