First responders’ group launched 

THE official launch of the Malahide/Portmarnock Community First Responders took place at Malahide Rugby Club recently. 

Members of the national ambulance service (NAS) and Mayor of Fingal Cllr Eoghan O’Brien were among the attendance.

The Malahide Portmarnock CFR group has been going since October 2019. It comprises 32 volunteers trained to national ambulance service standards who are on call for a 12-hour shift once a fortnight.

The Dublin Airport Authority (daa), Fingal County Council, Malahide Lions Club and Portmarnock Lions Club are generously assisting the group. 

This funding has allowed the group to purchase essential training equipment and defibrillators.

Community First Responders (CFR) are volunteers who are trained to attend certain types of emergency calls in the area where they live or work. 

Their aim is to reach a potential life-threatening emergency in the first vital minutes before the ambulance crew arrives.

Their role is to help stabilise the patient and provide the appropriate care including defibrillation, until the more highly skilled ambulance crew arrives on scene to take over the treatment.  

CFR groups who are linked to the NAS National Emergency Operations Centre are alerted to an emergency in their area and as they are community based, can provide medical assistance within minutes of a 112/999 call being received.