Oulart-The Ballagh community responds to life-saving needs
A new CFR (Community First Responders) Unit has been launched to assist people who are in need of immediate medical help while awaiting an ambulance.
The launch took place in the Sawdust Inn, the Ballagh, and the event attracted a large crowd to the venue who were interesting in finding out more about the initiative.
The aim of the group is to assist the National Ambulance Service (NAS) in call outs where there is a time-related concern in terms of how long it might take for an ambulance to arrive on scene.
The group is run on a voluntary basis and operates seven nights-aweek in addition to all day Saturday and Sunday.
A spokesperson for the unit told this newspaper that the group came about as a result of an incident that occurred where an ambulance was called for and took over two hours to arrive at a house in Oulart.
‘We are fully trained to assist with chest pain, choking, stroke and cardiac arrest,’ said the spokesperson.
The idea to start the group was inspired by the success of similar initiatives in Monageer, Riverchapel and Ferns.
A group of local people got together to see what could be done to improve the situation when incidents occur that require potentially life-saving help being administered prior to par- amedics arriving.
‘A few locals got together to start the CFR Unit in our locality,’ said the spokesperson.
‘We have started our fundraising to purchase AED equipment and supplies,’ she added.
Training has also commenced for the unit’s members but the spokesperson highlighted the fact that more members of the public are being encouraged to get involved.
‘We feel everybody in the community should know CPR,’ said the spokesperson.
‘You don’t have to have a medical background, everyone can do it, and full training will be provided,’ she added.
The calls that the unit’s members will be responding to will include incidents involving people suffering from chest pain, choking, stroke and cardiac related issues.
The group will operate within a 4km radius of Oulart and The Ballagh. To register interest in getting involved with the unit contact can be made through the group’s Facebook page or by contacting Vickie (087-7780749) or Ger (086-1578484).
The spokesperson also highlighted the fact that people should know their Eircode as that is the easiest way for emergency services to find them.