County's first responders making a positive difference in their local area

The volunteers of the South Roscommon Community First Responders group are already making a huge positive impact in their local area. Nationwide there are more than 300 such groups, with thousands of volunteers involved.

Going live in February of this year, the South Roscommon Community First Responders group now has eight members and covers a 10km radius, taking in much of the South Roscommon and Athlone areas and serving thousands of people.

The first of its kind in County Roscommon, the impetus to establish the group came from one of the worst storms in living memory, Storm Éowyn in January of 2025.

The group’s co-ordinator and Kiltoom man, Damien Ennis told the Herald that the first responders work alongside the National Ambulance Service (NAS), which tasks members to call-outs. The group’s members receive a text from the National Emergency Operations Centre with the details of the call and its location. If the member is able to attend, they will send a code back to the centre. It is not mandatory for them to attend.

Speaking at a training evening at Curraghboy Community Hall, Damien said that the group is working very well.

“Our centre point is Kiltoom and we go into Athlone, across the Shannon, into Golden Island, and part of Coosan. We also take in part of Drum, Castlesampson, Brideswell, Curraghboy, Rahara, and Lecarrow. It’s a pretty big area,” he said.

“We were two months live on the 9th of April. To date we have attended 20 calls of all different sorts so that’s a good start. In terms of the calls, they would be stroke, cardiac arrest, heart attack, possible choking, and chest pain as well.” He said that on one evening shortly after going live, the responders received two call-outs in the space of 20 minutes.

“And we attended both,” he said. "A lot of it is talking to people, reassuring them. If they see someone coming with the hi-vis vest and the badge, it puts them at ease.” He added that most of the time, the ambulance paramedics and the first responders could arrive at the same time.

“But there are occasions where you could be there first. It all depends on the location of the call,” he said, highlighting the importance of local knowledge in rural Ireland.

“Definitely there are a lot of small back roads and byroads, but you also get the Eircode, so you know exactly where you’re going.” Regarding training, the NAS sets up an account for the volunteers so they can do the required online courses. The training for volunteers includes CPR and cardiac first responder courses, as well as garda vetting.

“There are five online courses,” Damien said. “But it’s well worth it, you’ll be part of a good team.” The necessary training takes about two months to complete, and the group is happy to assist people who wish to join.

“It’s all about team work,” Damien said. “At the moment we could do with four to five more volunteers in the area. Because if more people join, we can expand the radius, it’d make a difference.” Karen Galvin is one of the volunteers.

“I wanted to give something back,” she said. “I am based in Monksland so at the moment that is where we are getting a lot of the calls. If we can go at all, we do. Joining the first responders has been brilliant and I find no matter what house you go into, it is appreciated.

“The ambulance is either already there or is ten minutes away. I find when the patient sees you in the vest, they calm down straight away and they relax.” She said that joining the group is “definitely very worthwhile”.

“You’re accomplishing so much. And it doesn’t take much. The training is very easy to do; we did most of it in our own time.” The group’s secretary Emer Geraghty is from Curraghboy and is delighted to be involved.

“You never know when a family member might need the service,” she said. “That’s why I got involved. It is super to have this training because South Roscommon is quite a rural location and if you’re able to get to a call and potentially save a life, then that’s amazing.

“The training courses are great life skills to have. I have always been a first aider at work, and it is great to bring those skills to the community.” Claire Kelly from Lecarrow would also highly recommend joining. She is trained in CPR and is a first aid responder at her work.

“You never know when someone is going to get sick, whether in your own family or a neighbour, or someone at a football pitch. It is no burden to know how to do CPR,” Claire said. “It’s so important and you just never know. There are eight of us and we need more people. It is a huge catchment area, but it is great to be able to help.” The other members of the group are Patrick Warby, Dona Cromer, Anne Harrington, and John Trundle.

Local councillor Tony Ward said that the community first responders’ initiative is a great addition to the area.

“I am delighted that it is taking place here in the heart of South Roscommon,” he said, and he thanked and complimented all the members of the group.

“It is so important. The fact that this is the first in the county is a huge plus and I would like to see these groups being set up right across Roscommon,” he said. “That would be a huge benefit to the community. The work the volunteers are putting in can never be overstated. They are very well trained and very professional, and we could all need them at some point.” 

For more information, visit the South Roscommon Community First Responders Facebook page, email southroscommoncfr@gmail.com, or contact Damien on 086 373 1472.