Volunteer first responders to aid ambulance service

Nearly 50,000 people in North Cork will benefit from a service which will give them an increased chance of surviving heart attacks and strokes.

Around 30 community first responders will provide assistance to people suffering heart attacks, chest pain, stroke or choking who live within a 5km radius of the towns of Mallow, Buttevant or Doneraile.

From now on, if somebody dials 999, the first responders will be automatically contacted by the HSE’s ambulance control at the same time as ambulance personnel are scrambled so that they may assist with the emergency if they are available.

More than 5,000 people die in this county each year from heart attacks.

However, death can often be prevented if CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) is started immediately.

If a heart attack victim doesn’t receive CPR or a shock from a defibrillator, their chances of survival drops 10% for each minute that goes by.

Gerard Sheehan, who is coordinating the volunteers, said they had all been trained to Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council standards and were qualified to perform CPR, operate an automatic external defibrillator, and administer aspirin and oxygen to patients in need of medical attention.

“We have set up a roster so we can provide a 24/7 service. Each one of our volunteers will receive upskilling courses monthly. We hope to get more volunteers and all the training is free. This is a significant day for North Cork and we hope to extend it to other towns in the region,” Mr Sheehan said.

The group has access to cars and three defibrillators when on call.

Bernard Flynn, operations manager with the National Ambulance Service, said the volunteers are “a highly valuable, potentially life-saving resource.”

“It will be a great support to the local National Ambulance Service personnel and I look forward to increased assistance and co-operation as the scheme is embedded in the area,” Mr Flynn said.

The service was launched yesterday by Minister of State Seán Sherlock at Mallow Primary Healthcare Centre.

“I applaud the voluntary effort these people have engaged in. I have no doubt they will save a number of lives,” said Mr Sherlock.