Tralee Community Responders
TRALEE Community Responders is one of Kerry’s newest voluntary organisations having been established in 2016. The responders are linked with the National Ambulance Service who dispatch the responders to 999 calls within a 6 kilometre radius of Tralee. All volunteers are trained to ‘Pre Hospital Emergency Care Council Certificate’ standard, while members also attend monthly refresher meetings.
In its first 6 months the volunteers have reacted to 133 callouts, ranging from cardiac arrest, stroke, and chest pain calls. The group is extremely active as it holds talks and practical demonstrations about the work they do. This ensures the vital message about cardiac response reaches community groups and voluntary organisations in the hope it will attract more volunteers to Tralee Responders.
The latter also organise fundraisers like coffee mornings, bag packing, and receive donations from private individuals and local businesses.
Tralee Responders have an average ‘on scene time’ of 5 minutes and can begin implementing vital CPR treatment immediately. Its future plans also include linking up with the Kerry Educational Board in September, and 8 local schools to train pupils and teachers in CPR. Secondary schools, active retirement groups and voluntary community organisations are also earmarked for interaction with Tralee Community Responders in what is a hugely positive initiative for all concerned.