THE importance of first responders in emergency situations was highlighted at the launch of the newly formed Ramelton Community First Responder Group.
The group, which is made up of volunteers from the local area, has been established to provide assistance to those suffering medical emergencies before the arrival of an ambulance.
Volunteers learn life-saving skills such as carrying out CPR and AED, and training is provided on a regular basis.
Ramelton Community Centre hosted the launch last night, which saw a large turn out of committee members, volunteers and members of the local community.
One lady in attendance, Esther Cullen, shared her own story of how a first responder can make a huge difference in an emergency situation.
Esther’s father, Eddie O’Kane from Lifford, sadly passed away after suffering a stroke in 2022.
While emergency services were called, Esther said more help was needed.
“I strongly believe that having a first responder’s help would have eased some of the trauma,” she shared.
The Ramelton Community First Responder Group was founded by local man and retired army medic Paul Stevenson, who is the group co-ordinator.
He has been instrumental in advocating for defibrillators and there are now 11 placed around Ramelton town and surrounding areas.
Paul is joined on the committee by Chairperson Julie Jordan, Vice-Chairperson Sharon McGinley, Secretary Marti McElhinney, Assistant Secretary Tara Catterson, Treasurer Teresa McDaid, Assistant Treasurer Moya Crossan, Fundraising PRO Lynn Love, Assistant Fundraising PRO Paul Walker, Garda Vetting Officer Susan Cullen and Assistant Garda Vetting Officer Aoife O’Donnell.
Welcoming the attendees, Paul explained that a first responders group had previously existed in Ramelton.
However, first responders groups were halted around the country due to the onset of COVID-19.
Paul decided to start up a new group in Ramelton after the community suffered tragic incidents of locals who passed away in medical emergencies.
He explained that a first responder may not always find themselves in a situation where CPR is needed.
“It might be no more than holding someone’s hand,” he said.
“That is 50 per cent of the work, providing that reassurance.”
Paul is aiming for the group to go live by October. Once that happens, members will be alerted if a call is made to emergency services with certain buzzwords.
If the patient is experiencing chest pain, stroke-like symptoms, choking or respiratory arrest, the details of the patient’s location will be sent to first responders.
Paul was accompanied by paramedics Ciaran Burke and Barry McEleney, who provided CPR and AED demonstrations with a defibrillator.
Kieran Burke Paramedic and Barry McEleaney Advance Paramedic gives a demonstration on CPR at the first responders evening in Ramelton. Photos Brian McDaid
Paul’s daughter Niamh, nine, also showed attendees how to carry out chest compressions.
The launch was attended by Cllr Declan Meehan and apologies were sent from Cllr Pauric McGarvey.
They were both thanked for supporting the group and for their input in setting up defibrillators around Ramelton.
The Ramelton Community First Responder Group is welcome to all new members, and Paul has encouraged people to help out in any way they can, even if it’s making the tea at meetings.
“When any new members come, we’ll be doing training,” he said.
“During the summer we will be actually advertising nights for the public to come into the big hall where we will have 20 or 30 mannequins. We’ll be doing demonstrations and get people involved in that, because we did that a few years ago and it was very successful.”
Paul aims to further increase defibrillators around Ramelton for the public to have easy access.
“If you’re in that catchment area that if you have to jump in your car to get a defibrillator, that you’re no more than three or four minutes’ drive away,” he said.
“It’s all about getting the message out there of how safe these things are and what they do and how valuable they are, but not withstanding the most valuable thing – is that people learn how to do CPR as well.
“If we’re not doing CPR the brain is dying. It doesn’t matter what the defibrillator does, if you don’t have people actively getting their hands on the chest, even for family members to know how to do that while they’re waiting for us to come, and for us waiting for the ambulance to come.”
Anyone interested in getting involved is encouraged to contact the group via Paul Stevenson on 086 080 9443, The Ramelton Community First Responder Group social media pages, and email at [email protected].
Esther Cullen and Paul Stevenson.