Volunteers join Offaly town's Community First Responders group

Edenderry Community First Responders had their first information night on Wednesday last, March 2 in Edenderry GAA Hall.

The first 21 volunteers came to learn about the group and register. Amanda Ross, the community engagement officer from the HSE as well as John Fitzgerald of CFR Ireland came to give more background on the CFR schemes that are operating throughout Ireland assisting in their communities.

It is hoped that the Edenderry CFR group once live will increase the survivability of patients experiencing chest pain, strokes and cardiac arrests when dispatched by  National Ambulance Service by getting there faster than an ambulance will on most occasions.

The group will also work with the community to increase the number of Public Access Defibrillators around the town and to engage with businesses and groups that have private AED's in effort to have them more publicly available. They ask that if you are a business with an AED that you contact them to discuss working together. 

Chairperson Philip Maher said: "We hope that sports clubs, businesses and groups that have AED's will understand that these pieces of life saving equipment do no good if people aren't aware of their location. The Edenderry CFR group will assist these groups by servicing the AED's, replacing expired pads and batteries as well as working with them on getting external lockers to house the AED'S in more accessible locations."

The group plans on their second meeting this coming Wednesday, March 9 in the GAA hall at 7pm to start training, completing mandatory course and organising Garda vetting so that they can start to assist in the community.