Naas Community First Responders

Naas Community First Responders (NaasCFR) is a voluntary organisation, manned by people living in the Naas area. Community First Responders (CFRs) are civilian responders who are trained to international standards in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and defibrillation. They are part of a local CFR scheme, which is linked to the National Ambulance Service.  These wonderful volunteers work alongside the National Ambulance Service responding to calls of Cardiac Arrest, Stroke, Heart Attack and Choking. Volunteers respond to calls on a rostered basis within a 5km radius of the town centre. When the emergency services are alerted to a case of cardiac arrest, chest pain, choking or stroke, a civilian responder from the local CFR scheme is automatically dispatched to the scene along with the ambulance services. During Cardiac Arrests every minute counts. The responders receive a text message the same time the Ambulance service is notified. The local responder will get to the location within their 5km radius within minutes and can start lifesaving CPR using a defibrillator until the Ambulance arrives.

First Responders are only dispatched to chest pain, breathing difficulties, choking, stroke and cardiac related calls within a 5-kilometre radius of their communities. Because the people “on call” live or work in their area, they can respond in minutes and provide emergency measures and reassurance until the Ambulance Service arrives. The first responder’s aim is to be on the scene of a suspected Cardiac Arrest within the first ten minutes. Civilian responders are trained to international standards in CPR and defibrillation. The main objective of the group is to enforce the “Chain of Survival”, Early Access, Early CPR and Early Defibrillation

Funding from our players has allowed for NaasCFR to install three outdoor Public Access Defibrillators throughout the town. The defibs are available 24/7 for public use. This equipment is vital and can be the difference between life and death in an emergency. Local people are aware of where these defibrillators are in the town and in some circumstances have been used in emergency cases. Funding also allowed for training equipment for the team. This equipment is used to teach their community CPR during public demonstrations and attend local schools and businesses providing free training in the life saving skills for choking, strokes, Cardiac Arrest and Heart Attacks.

We're so proud to support this team of 18 wonderful volunteers with such a strong purpose in their community.