‘A great asset’: New Kilkenny first responder group hits the ground running in opening month

With a network of over 300 volunteers who responded to more than 2,000 calls nationwide in 2025, CRITICAL Community First Responders (CFR) has come to Kilkenny with a new group launching last month.

Made up of 16 members, the Kilkenny branch has been responding to life-threatening incidents and providing vital care in co-operation with the National Ambulance Service.

The group went live on February 7 and have had a busy opening few weeks according to co-ordinator Paul O'Carroll.

“In the month of February alone, we responded to 12 calls,” Paul says. “Everything from a cardiac arrest to chest pain, strokes and choking.”

“So we got a wide range of different calls and we’re getting busier and busier as the month progresses,” he adds.

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Kilkenny CFR have been training for over six months to prepare for all aspects of treatment for emergencies they may face on a call. 

The rigorous learning is also accompanied by regular testing to ensure every volunteer can provide quality care under pressure.

“We cover absolutely everything and we’ve done training with the National Ambulance Service as well here in Kilkenny,” Paul outlines.

“Every second Monday night, we train from seven o’clock till nine or ten at night and then we do assessments every couple of weeks just to ensure that everyone is at a high standard.”

The group’s volunteers draw on a diverse range of careers and experience with civil defense members, EMTs and Paramedics being joined by others from retail and business backgrounds.

This variation is key to the group’s success as people coming in with less knowledge can benefit from learning with seasoned medical professionals.

“Any volunteers that have no medical experience whatsoever when they first joined are now up to that standard,” Paul describes.

“There’s always questions, answers and guidance within the group so we bring in all the experience from real life to scenarios as well.”

Kilkenny CFR has been met with overwhelming interest with a waiting list having to be introduced for potential new recruits.

“I’m shocked with the waiting list to be honest. The amount of interest in Kilkenny is absolutely phenomenal,” Paul says. “I can’t get over the spirit of people just to volunteer.”

“They can get in contact with myself or with CRITICAL itself to express interest and we’d be delighted to have a chat with them,” he continues.

New CFR groups are continuing to be established around Ireland, something which Paul hopes to see sustained as the positive impacts draw more volunteers.

“It’s a great asset to rural and local areas and it does assist within the community. It’s definitely grown so I hope it spreads throughout the country,” he concludes.

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