New Volunteer Group Launches to Tackle Emergencies in Balbriggan

A new community first responder group has been established in Balbriggan, a town in north county Dublin, to address life-threatening emergencies. This initiative consists of 16 trained volunteers ready to respond to critical incidents such as cardiac arrests, strokes, and choking situations. The group is part of the emergency medical response charity CRITICAL, which boasts over 300 volunteer responders across 21 counties in Ireland.

The establishment of the Balbriggan team is a response to an identified need in the community, particularly concerning the limited availability of publicly accessible defibrillators. According to the charity, volunteers have already responded to 1,231 incidents since the beginning of the year, showcasing the vital role they play in local emergency response.

Community Engagement and Training

The new responders are tasked by the National Ambulance Service to handle 999/112 calls in their area. The team members come from diverse backgrounds, including healthcare, education, business, trades, and retirement, all united by a common goal of assisting those in crisis.

The initiative was prompted by community concern, as one of the volunteers, Walter, noted the “very few” accessible defibrillators in the area. This led to a town hall meeting where community members expressed their desire to improve emergency response capabilities. With support from CRITICAL, the group was formed and has been training consistently since January.

Walter explained, “Although everyone has diverse backgrounds, each member is driven by the same purpose to help others in moments of crisis.” The training provided to volunteers is comprehensive, adhering to the CFR-C standard through a program delivered by CRITICAL. This includes scenario-based sessions designed to prepare responders for real-life emergencies, ensuring they are ready to act when every second counts.

Impact and Future Goals

The charity’s extensive network of volunteers includes paramedics, emergency medical technicians (EMTs), and medical professionals across six counties, all contributing to a robust emergency response framework. The initiative relies on fundraising and public donations to sustain and expand its services, highlighting the community’s commitment to enhancing local healthcare resources.

David Tighe, CEO of CRITICAL, emphasized the importance of the new team in Balbriggan, stating, “Our responders are having a significant impact in cities, towns, villages, and rural areas across the country, working closely with the National Ambulance Service to respond to emergencies in their local communities.”

As Balbriggan, with a population close to 25,000, embraces this new initiative, the commitment of the volunteers and the support from the community will be pivotal in enhancing the town’s emergency response capabilities.