The Emergency Medical Response Charity CRITICAL has established a new Community First Responder group in Carrick-on-Suir, which will cover areas in counties Tipperary, Waterford and Kilkenny.
Set up just seven weeks ago, the new group has already responded to 21 emergency 999 calls including cardiac arrests, stroke, heart problems, and breathing difficulties.
On the launch of the new group, David Tighe, CEO of CRITICAL, said: “It is wonderful to see the expansion of the charity in Carrick-on-Suir, serving the community and surrounding area. We’ve already seen the impact the CRITICAL CFR Carrick-on-Suir group has had in such a short space of time. They provide a vital service to the community.”
The group currently has eleven active responders from all walks of life and the team may soon be expanding. Volunteers include local businesspeople, personnel from the National Ambulance Service, members of the financial sector, and a retained firefighter.
CRITICAL has provided the group with the lifesaving equipment they need to respond to medical emergencies in their local areas, including defibrillators, diagnostic equipment, and airway kits.
Adam Hunt, the coordinator of the CRITICAL CFR Carrick-on-Suir group, has volunteered with similar organisations and initiatives for over a decade. He has 12 years of experience with the Irish Red Cross and brings extensive pre-hospital experience to support the group's members and the wider community.
He stated: “We’re all happy to be able to help in our community and we’re so grateful to CRITICAL for bringing together this group of volunteers who now have the necessary training and equipment to assist in our local area. We are delighted with the response so far and we think our community is too. Over time, the town of Carrick-on-Suir and the surrounding areas will really see the benefit of our group.”
To raise much needed funds for the volunteer service, Faugheen Road Racing Club in conjunction with Carrick-on-Suir Motor Club are hosting a Classic Motorsport Show in Faugheen on Saturday, July 20th from 11am to 5pm. Proceeds from the day will go to the CRITICAL group who will be onsite performing CPR demonstrations throughout the day.
If you would like to get involved, or to make a donation to CRITICAL, please visit: https://criticalcharity.ie/ or call 021 4190 999.
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