Community First Responders operational in Tallow
Under the leadership of local woman Joanne Hickey, a group of volunteers has been formed in Tallow and surroundings areas to function as Community First Responders. The group, numbering 18 in total, is entirely voluntary and has undergone months of intense training to earn their stripes, so to speak.
Medical science and knowledge are ever evolving, and recent years have seen huge strides forward in the treatment of sudden and life-threatening events, such as heart-attack, stroke and other serious medical emergencies. More and more people are now surviving such happenings; the invention and development of the A.E.D has played a huge part in the survival rate. It is now part and parcel of life in most communities to have such a device to hand.
The local group have given selflessly of their time voluntarily and are a vital asset to the community. They will operate in groups of two persons and will be on call to assist 24/7 to any and all emergencies, working in tandem with the Ambulance Service.
It is important to point out that on occasions the ambulance may take some time to reach the victim in need, so our First Responders will be on hand to help until such time as the ambulance arrives and takes over. In any emergency you still dial 999 or 112 and all will be co-ordinated from that call.
Such an emergency occurred in recent years in Tallow when an individual suffered a cardiac arrest. As events described above, local people were on hand and had the knowledge and skills to operate the A.E.D. The ambulance and other lifesaving procedures duly arrived, the teamwork was complete, and a successful resuscitation ensued. There is absolutely no doubt but that outcome would have been entirely different without the skills, knowledge and confidence of those who administered assistance.
Working in tandem with the Irish National Ambulance Service, our Community First Responders are now up and running in Tallow. This is a sincere effort and commitment by all involved and gratitude and appreciation must be extended to all for volunteering their time in what could potentially be the difference between life and death for someone. The Community First Responders’ group locally consist of: Joanne Hickey, Claire Curley, Lorna O’Donnell, Amy Henley, Nora O’Sullivan, Michelle McCormack, Rosemarie Murray, Pia McCarthy, Molly Ryan, Ber McGrath, Elaine Noonan, Donnachadh Mulcahy, John Hennessy, Johnnie Rohan, James Clancy, Terence McSweeney, Stuart Barry and Kieran Geary. Administration: Anne Lane and Tom Doyle.
So, congratulations to theses newly appointed First Responders in Tallow. Also, a huge thanks to the businesses and individuals, Waterford County Council and the HSE for their kind donations enabling the financing of the programme. To date it has helped finance a new A.E.D. and sixteen fully kitted out First Aid bags.