Third defibrillator secured after community fundraising­

Third defibrillator secured after community fundraising­

By Mary Dennehy

A THIRD defibrillator has been secured for Kilnamanagh, with a call-out being made for locals to volunteer to become First Responders in their community.

The Kilnamanagh Community First Responders Group was established three years ago and, within that time, three defibrillators – fundraised for by the community – have been installed within the area.

Kilnamanagh defib Parkhill 1

Members of Kilnamanagh Community First Responders with the area’s third defibrillator on Parkhill Road, (from left) Jennifer Fogarty, Mary Gaynor, Declan Doherty and Valerie Doherty.

There are defibrillators at the Kilnamanagh Community Centre and St Kevin’s Church, with a third device, recently purchased, this week installed on Parkhill Road.

The latest defibrillator was purchased with the help of donations from two local families, Eric and Stephen Stroughair, who raised the money through their annual Christmas light display, and James Ryan and family.

Thanking the two families, and the wider community for its ongoing support, Fiona Fogarty, a Kilnamanagh first responder, encouraged residents to be part of the initiative.

According to Fiona, when a 999 call is made from Kilnamanagh the operator now informs the person calling of the location of defibrillators in the area – which can be used as an ambulance makes its way to the scene.

However, the hope is that once enough volunteers come on board that, after being alerted by an emergency operator, a Kilnamanagh first responder will attend the scene with the defibrillator.

“Basically, the idea is, and studies show, that the quicker someone can start CPR on a person having a heart attack the better the outcome,” Fiona said.

“We are hoping that if we get a bigger group, one of us will go with the defibrillator.”

There are currently six First Responders in Kilnamanagh, including a doctor, a member of the fire service, a nurse, and local residents who are working together to grow the community service.

While a call-out is being made for first responders, people are also being encouraged to take part in up-coming community training – which will ensure residents can use the defibrillators being installed.

“We are organising community training days where we will teach hands-only CPR, just using compression,” Fiona said.

“It will also include how to use a defibrillator. This training is in the pipeline, so keep an eye on the Facebook page.”

On behalf of the First Responder team in Kilnamanagh, Fiona issued a big thank you to the Stroughair and Ryan families, the wider community and the Kilnamanagh Family Resource Centre for providing a base for the team.

To volunteer as a Kilnamanagh First Responder or to take part in up-and-coming community training days visit the Kilnamanagh CFR Group Facebook page.

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