COVID-19 CRISIS:
DECISION MADE TO PROTECT SAFETY AND WELLBEING OF VOLUNTEERS
■ Marts re-open under new guidelines
■ First Responders temporarily suspended
■ Serious knock-on effects for charities
■FDYS goes online
■ Inside Wexford’s Covid-19 call centre
COMMUNITY First Responders groups around the county and country have been temporarily stood down as a result of the ongoing Covid-19 crisis.
Among them is Ferns Community First Responders and one of those involved with the group, Mary Gethings, said the Ferns volunteers, along with CFR groups around the country, were stood down by the National Ambulance Service with immediate effect once the Taoiseach announced the increased restrictions on Friday, March 27.
‘ This [decision] has not been made lightly and was made following many discussions and considerations surrounding the health, safety and welfare of all the members,’ said Mary.
However, she pointed out there are publicly accessible defibrillators located in towns and villages around the county. In the Ferns area, these can be found at Applegreen, Ferns; Somer’s Commercials, Camolin; Clonee GAA clubhouse and Ballyduff National School.
‘We can assure you that, as a group, we are going nowhere and are ready to step back up when this crisis is over and we are re-activated by the National Ambulance Service,’ said Mary.
The Ferns CFR group is encouraging members of the public to follow the advice issued by the HSE and various Government agencies as efforts continue to fight the coronavirus pandemic.
‘We will get through this together,’ said Mary.
In the event of a medical emergency, members of the public are reminded to phone 999 or 112. A number of the Ferns CFR members have also been included on the list of volunteers available in the community to help those in need.
‘We are asking people who are self isolating or those cocooning not to become alarmed if they are alone or feeling overwhelmed,’ said Mary.
Anyone who is in need of assistance should contact the gardai, who have access to all the volunteers groups throughout the locality.
‘Let them know if you need help with shopping, collecting prescriptions etc,’ said Mary.
Enniscorthy Garda Station can be contacted at 053 9242580.
Ferns CFR members work with the National Ambulance Service and its volunteers are dispatched at the same time as National Ambulance Service Paramedics to cardiac arrest, heart attack, chest pain and choking incidents within their area of operation.
The members are fully trained to assess a person on arrival and administer Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), or to use an Automated External Defibrillation device, to administer an electric shock to restart the heart if necessary.
At incidents to which they are tasked the Ferns CFR volunteers administer first aid and provide support until the arrival of the National Ambulance Service Paramedics.
While the volunteers are now temporarily stood down they are looking forward to the time when they can again provide an invaluable service to their community.