The ‘friendly neighbour’ in a time of need

The Arva Cornafean Killeshandra Community First Responder Group is aiming to launch its services early in the New Year.

They are currently looking for funding and volunteers to provide first response services to cardiac, choking and stroke calls, among others.

The community group will work in conjunction with the National Ambulance Service. When an ambulance is called for somebody in their catchment area, they will be immediately alerted when the ambulance service feels their intervention could have the potential to give somebody more time and improve patient outcomes.

Chairperson Helen O’Hara, from Arva, describes how the group first formed back in May, when Cornafean nurse Thanasie Kaldanis recognised the need for the service. With just over twenty members, the group was formed.

“There’s a need for a link between the National Ambulance Service and certain 999 calls and we are going to be that link for our area,” explained secretary Gillian O’Donoghue, who has a background working in first response.

“We’re hoping to basically dramatically shorten the length of time that somebody is waiting for help.

“When they call 999, the earlier they get good quality, hands-on CPR, the more likely it is you will save that person.”

The group’s aim is to have somebody there “within six minutes” to provide CPR and have a defibrillator.

Living in the Cornafean area, she said the group hopes “to help people in the community”.

“But also it’s not only that,” she pointed out.

“It’s also to provide a friendly neighbour to come if you’re not feeling well, when you’re waiting for an ambulance.

“Somebody just to move cars around in the driveway and help people get ready to go to hospital but only in life-threatening situations.”

When a 999 or 112 call is made, the dispatcher in the centre will send a text message to everybody in the group. The responder will reply with a code to say they are on the way.

“The ambulance service will have already dispatched some support in the form of an ambulance or a paramedic,” she described.

Thirty people in the group are undertaking training courses and obtaining garda vetting. Sixteen members of the group have completed all the training. Two instructors, who are also members the group, are providing the first response training, while they also have nurses, doctors, a paramedic, a specialist in hospital equipment, a vet and “really energetic people”.

“There will be ongoing training as well,” Gillian assured.

The group also has a survivor in Michael Madigan, who is also a retired nurse and assistant secretary and PRO of the group.

“I survived a heart attack myself in 2016 and needed a helicopter to The Mater hospital, and they saved my life,” the Cornafean man explained.

“I can bring a heart patient perspective to the group, I hope I do.”

In his situation, the ambulance arrived “very quickly” and got him the treatment he needed. However, the group is aware that ambulances may not always be able to come quickly.

“The purpose of our group is to buy the patient or the person in our community extra time because we live in a very remote part of the country and it could take a long time for an ambulance to get out here.

“What our service will do is we will bring an AED, a defibrillator to a patient in a much quicker time.

“That is crucial especially when someone is having a cardiac arrest or is in that situation where every minute matters.

“If we’re there in 10 minutes and it takes an ambulance an hour, then we are able to give that person a better opportunity to have better outcomes when the ambulance arrives.

“We’re not there to alleviate pressure on the ambulance,” he pointed out.

“We’re not in any way taking over from the professionals, we’re like a helpful neighbour who’s just got that extra level of skill.”

While AEDs already exist in the community, the group aims to build on this with fundraising for their own defibrillators. They also aim to create a sub committee who will regularly monitor the existing defibrillators to make sure they are working and that all the equipment is there.

“If you have a cardiac arrest, the only thing that’s going to help you before the ambulance comes is having a defibrillator applied to you.”

The group thanked all local businesses who have donated to the effort to date. They are also looking for members of the community to join them. Training, access to courses and garda vetting will be provided. For more details, you can contact ackcfr@gmail.com, message their Facebook page or contact group PRO Michael on 085-7396955.