First responders appeal

VOLUNTEERS in the New Ross district who are interested in starting a First Responder Network in County Wexford are being urged to come forward.

Paul Malone, who is a locally certified First Responder trainer, has come forward to train people to become first responders who could potentially save someone’s life while awaiting the arrival of emergency services.

Answering an appeal made by Fianna Fáil Cllr Michael Sheehan for a 2020 Vision for people to come forward with ideas and suggestions to improve our community, Mr Malone stepped up, offering to help fill the gap in service provision due to the lack of a second cath lab in University Hospital Waterford.

Cllr Sheehan said: ‘ Starting locally in the New Ross area, and subject to demand, we can roll out the programme countywide. First Responders are members of the public who are trained to respond immediately to incidents of cardiac arrest while the emergency services are in transit. I would like to pay tribute to Paul and the whole emergency services team in the area; I think it shows the calibre and commitment of the paramedic professionals to our community.’

People are asked to come forward and email Cllr Sheehan at volunteer@michaelsheehan.ie or Paul on Paul.malone79@gmail.com to register their interest.

‘I would encourage as many people to join up. With a safer community, we are a stronger community and this initiative shows what we can do when we all work together.’

Meanwhile local cardiac service campaigner Hilary Murphy is calling on people to join a Wexford support group to apply pressure on the Government, alongside the Waterford campaign group. Hilary can be contacted on 086 2549673, 051 421546 or hilarymurphyhlfb@gmail.com.