First responder group takes on nine new volunteers
South Carlow CFR volunteers Liz Brady, Aoibheann Murphy, Marie Murphy, Andrea Wenner and Bernie Gahan receiving the donation from Caitriona Doran of Doran's Supervalu in Graignamanagh
THE South Carlow Community First Responders (CFR) group is celebrating another significant milestone in its ongoing mission to help save lives with the addition of nine new volunteers.
The team started out with 12 volunteers just over two years ago and earlier this year welcomed the nine new recruits following an intensive training period, working with the two qualified instructors on the team. The new volunteers provide additional strength across the area, helping to reduce the time it takes to arrive on scene.
South Carlow CFR has attended nearly 180 emergency calls to support the National Ambulance Service over the last two years. It covers a wide area across south Carlow and Kilkenny, including Graignamanagh, Borris, Goresbridge, Skeoughvasteen, St Mullins and the surrounding areas.
Trained to respond to certain types of emergency calls, their aim is to reach a potential life-threatening emergency such as cardiac arrest, choking, stroke or heart attack in the first vital minutes while the ambulance is on the way.
Equipping the volunteers is expensive. Earlier this week, South Carlow CFR received a generous contribution from Doran’s SuperValu in Graignamanagh for the purchase of an additional automated external defibrillator (AED) – an essential piece of lifesaving equipment that will be used by the new volunteers on the team in the area.
“South Carlow CFR is a registered charity and we are entirely dependent on community support and donations, which are used to provide the group with the essential equipment needed on the calls we attend,” said chairperson Elaine Kavanagh.
“Over the last two years, we have been delighted with the backing we have received in so many ways. Support has come from a wide range of sources: members of the public, local councillors and even spontaneous acts of kindness like the donation made after a chance conversation in a local pharmacy, where a volunteer was buying aspirin for the team,” said Elaine.
“We would like to express our heartfelt thanks to all who have contributed: your support has and will continue to make a difference. Thank you.”
To find out more about South Carlow Community First Responders, visit www.southcarlowcfr.ie or follow the team on social media.
