Community First Responders go live in Bagenalstown this week

Another local area now has its own trained group of emergency responders.

Bagenalstown Community First Responders will ‘go live’ with the National Ambulance Service ready to react to any cardiac, respiratory, or stroke-related emergencies from 8 o’clock tomorrow night.

According to CFR Ireland, as it stands, there’s one other registered group locally and they’re in North Kilkenny.

Paddy Kelly is the Chairperson of the Bagenalstown group, he told KCLR News community-based responders are essential given how long it can take for an ambulance to respond.

They now have 10 volunteers fully-trained but they’re hoping to recruit more in the New Year.