First responders recognised for their contribution to society
The Mullingar Community First Responders are “heroes around the town”, Cllr Ken Glynn told them when he formally recognised their contribution to society last week.
Speaking at an event at Áras an Chontae hosted by the mayor and elected members of the Municipal District of Mullingar Kinnegad, Cllr Glynn gave an ‘address of recognition’ for the emergency response group.
He recalled that, as cathaoirleach of the county council (2020/2021), he had previously acknowledged their work when he presented them with the overall Cathaoirleach Award, and said: “When I took this position, I thought of how I could help to give you guys the recognition you deserve again, so as mayor of the district, it is my great honour on behalf of my colleagues and the people of Mullingar and the wider county of Westmeath to preside here this evening and welcome you all to Mullingar Civic Offices.”
He said members of the Mullingar Community First Responders have given their time and assist local emergency services many times over the years since their inception.
He explained that members are volunteers trained to attend certain emergencies, and they work with the National Ambulance Service. “This important service is available 24 hours a day and the group respond to incidents within a 10km radius of Mullingar; their main duty in an emergency situation is to stabilise the patient until the ambulance arrives.”
He said the team of 15 responded to 355 emergencies during 2023 in Mullingar, which is why they are now looking to recruit an additional 10 volunteers.
David Stafford, coordinator of the Mullingar Community First Responders, was motivated to set it up following his own experience of having a heart attack some years ago. All responders are trained to high PHECC levels.
They have raised funds and installed 13 defibrillators around Mullingar to date and plan to install more (contact them via mullingarcfr@gmail.com and on Facebook if you would like to contribute or find out more).
Cllr Glynn concluded: “I would like to thank you all again for your invaluable contribution to society and for making Mullingar a safer place, and to say a heartfelt thank you from all the citizens of Mullingar and the surrounding county of Westmeath, young and old, and wish you and your families continued success.”
Accepting the formal recognition on behalf of the responders, David Stafford said it reminds him and the other volunteers that they are appreciated and “people do know what we’re doing”.
“This has come to the fore for me lately, because I had open heart surgery in January and I’m in recovery at the minute, so I know the number of people that are out there that are suffering from cardiac arrest, from heart attacks, from strokes, that need help and need help urgently, and the Ambulance Service, being a national service, isn’t always able to get there in a timely manner, but we can get there.
“And just the visibility of the red jacket or a high-vis jacket and holding somebody’s hand when they’re in crisis, for that moment of time, can bring a person from a potential cardiac arrest right back to chest pain or back to a minor stroke – because there’s somebody there to help. So that’s what we do.”
As an example of their work, he said: “In the last 24 hours we’ve attended four calls – we don’t get one every day, but there are days when we get four, five, six in a day, but once the phone goes, we will send people and get to those who need us.
“So thanks again for nominating us. Thanks to Ken; you’ve been a great supporter and it is much appreciated. Thank you very much.”