New First Responder group will cover South Kilkenny

Emergency Medical Response Charity CRITICAL has established a new Community First Responder group in Carrick-on-Suir, which will cover areas in counties Tipperary, Waterford and Kilkenny.

CRITICAL is Ireland’s leading volunteer emergency medical response charity and it’s mission is to save lives through a network of volunteer emergency medical responders.
The new group will cover an area spanning 10 kilometres outside of Carrick-on-Suir

Set up earlier this summer, the new group has already responded to more than 20 emergency 999 calls including cardiac arrests, stroke, heart problems, and breathing difficulties.

“We’ve already seen the impact the CRITICAL CFR Carrick-on-Suir group has had in such a short space of time. They provide a vital service to the community,” said David Tighe, CEO of CRITICAL.

The group currently has 11 active responders from all walks of life and the team may soon be expanding.
CRITICAL has provided the group with the lifesaving equipment they need to respond to medical emergencies in their local areas, including defibrillators, diagnostic equipment, and airway kits.

Adam Hunt, coordinator of the group, has 12 years experience with the Irish Red Cross and brings extensive pre-hospital experience to support the group’s members and the wider community.

“We’re all happy to be able to help in our community and we’re so grateful to CRITICAL for bringing together this group of volunteers who now have the necessary training and equipment to assist in our local area.

“Over time, the town of Carrick-on-Suir and the surrounding areas will really see the benefit of our group.”

“We are always looking for more people to get involved with the group,” says Mr Hunt.

Volunteers
“Regardless of background or skill-set, we would love to hear from people who would be willing to join us as first responders, or help with fundraising initiatives and raising awareness about CRITICAL and the work we do here. It’s all serving our community.

“I would really like to express my gratitude to our volunteer crew and of course, Ed Walsh and David Tighe in CRITICAL for their unwavering support.”
If you would like to get involved, or to make a donation to CRITICAL, please visit: https://criticalcharity.ie/ or call 021 4190 999.