Become a Community First Responder

Become a Community First Responder

A CFR is a person trained to a minimum level of basic life support in CPR and the use of an AED/defibrillator, who attends a potentially life-threatening emergency such as a cardiac arrest, heart attack, stroke or choking. 

First Responder teams are engrained in the communities all across Ireland, they are run entirely by volunteers with Support from the National Ambulance Service.

These community schemes offer services such as:

-Community First Responders

-Public Access Defib Programmes

-Community Training

What is a CFR?

Community First Responders (CFR) are volunteers who are trained to attend certain types of emergency calls in the area where they live or work. Their aim is to reach a potential life-threatening emergency in the first vital minutes before the ambulance crew arrives.

Their role is to help stabilise the patient and provide the appropriate care including CPR & defibrillation, until the more highly skilled ambulance crew arrives on the scene to take over the treatment. 

CFR groups who are linked to the National Ambulance Service-NAS National Emergency Operations Centre are alerted to an emergency in their area and as they arecommunity-based, can provide medical assistance within minutes of a 112/999 call being received.

What a Community First Responder does

In order for Community First Responders to become active responding to emergency incidents on behalf of the National Ambulance Service there are a number of basic requirements.

All Responders must

-Have a can do and positive attitude towards helping your community

-Be over 18 years of age

-Be of good character and willing to learn.

-Have access to a fully insured vehicle ( and licensed to drive it ) or transport enabling you to reach the patient within the assigned time & radius.

-NO medical experience is necessary as all training will be provided by your scheme.

-Be Garda Vetted ( by your Scheme Manager )

Whilst these requirements are mandatory for a response role, many CFR schemes have a variety of alternative volunteer positions including training, administration and fundraising. Contact your local CFR scheme to learn how you can be part of a lifesaving team.

Training is provided locally with each scheme providing initial CFR certification and regular ongoing training.The National Ambulance Service support CFR scheme’s nationally through the provision of instructor training courses and training events ( CPC ) on a regular basis. The National Ambulance has a network of over 400 CFR Volunteer Instructors located around Ireland who deliver the PHECC / AHA / IHF training to responders.

Training consists of cardiac arrest management including CPR and AED usage, Stroke and Heart attack assessment and treatment and relief of choking. Training covers all essential elements effectively operate as a CFR with additional training options available

About Community First Responders: Click Here

CFR website: https://becomeacfr.ie/