Thanks to all volunteers from Wexford, Wicklow Civil Defence Kilkenny Civil Defence Laois Civil-Defence Tipperary Civil Defence Offaly Civil Defence Order of Malta Ireland Ambulance Corps Wexford Unit Irish Red Cross – Gorey Irish Red Cross – Enniscorthy for helping to provide medical cover for Fleadh Cheoil. A fantastic team effort. #volunteer #fleadhcheoil2024

Yesterday (20^th May) marked the coming together of Enniscorthy Civil Defence and Enniscorthy Red Cross volunteers to establish a Community First Responder (CFR) Group within Enniscorthy Town. The group consists of trained volunteers from both organisations who will respond to cardiac arrest and choking incidents within Enniscorthy Town.

The group is made up of volunteers who are first aid trained and is a joint initiative of the two organisations who are working closely with the National Ambulance Service (NAS). The group has been fully supported by the National Ambulance Service, who  provide scenario training of events they may encounter while responding.

Jonathan Lynch National Ambulance service said “The National Ambulance Service is delighted to work with Wexford Civil Defence and Enniscorthy Red Cross to bring a community first responder scheme to the town. We are grateful to the volunteer members who have given so freely of their time in preparation for this and upon activation will join over 260 other first responder schemes nationwide in responding to cardiac emergencies within the community in support of the Ambulance Service”.

The volunteers will be alerted to calls by National Ambulance Service (NAS) via a mobile application, once two volunteers are available, they will respond utilising the existing Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) which are located around Enniscorthy Town. These AEDs where installed by the Enniscorthy defibrillator initiative group. The volunteers will respond to calls within the Enniscorthy area, to include the town and immediate surrounding areas.

Speaking at the Launch Cathaoirleach of Enniscorthy Municipal District Cllr. John O’ Rourke said: ‘I am delighted to see the launch of the Enniscorthy Town CFR group. It is a welcome step towards helping communities to take immediate action in emergency situations. This early attendance could literally be the difference between life and death where every minute counts. I would encourage members of the community to join the group to help save more lives and foster a sense of community resilience’

The CFR group will utilise existing AEDs which have been located at various locations around Enniscorthy town. The group will go live as from Monday 27^th May and will respond to calls received from the National Ambulance Service.

If anyone is interested in joining the Group, please contact Peter O’Connor, Civil Defence Officer, email cdo@wexfordcoco.ie or Paddy Redmond, Enniscorthy Red Cross, email adu.wexford@irishredcross.com.

Tánaiste welcomes pilot programme for paramedic-level medical cover in Civil Defence

From Department of Defence 

Published on 11 April 2024

Last updated on 11 April 2024

The Tánaiste and Minister for Defence, Micheál Martin TD today (11th April) welcomed the launch of a Civil Defence pilot programme to provide medical cover to paramedic level.

The six-month pilot involves three Civil Defence Units – Kilkenny, Laois and Wexford.

The Tánaiste commented, “Civil Defence volunteers provide an invaluable service across the length and breadth of Ireland. This pilot will enhance the medical response capability of Civil Defence volunteers in their local communities.

I have seen at first-hand recently how the Civil Defence continues to upskill and professionalise its service provision, while retaining its volunteer ethos.

This is another example of how Civil Defence continues to enhance its skillset and service to the community and I look forward to seeing the results of this pilot in at the end of the Summer.”

This new level of medical cover will be of immediate benefit to Wexford Civil Defence, with Wexford hosting Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in August 2024. Volunteers in that county will now be in a position to provide a higher level of medical cover to spectators at the event.

With immediate effect, qualified Civil Defence Volunteers involved in the pilot programme will be able to administer medications up to and including paramedic level.

Following the conclusion of the pilot programme, it is intended that lessons learnt will be shared with the wider Civil Defence and the Local Government Sector with a view to finalising a national strategy.