About

From https://cfr.ie/

In Ireland 5,000 People die each year from cardiac arrest, thirteen people every day. These people are going about their daily lives, at home, at work, shopping, at sports events and many collapse and die without warning.

70% to 80% of these collapses happen in the presence of family or friends. After suffering a cardiac arrest, for every minute that passes, the chances of recovery are reduced by 7% to 10%. The current survival rate of Out‐of‐Hospital Cardiac Arrest (OOHCA) in Ireland is 5.2% Irish OOHCA Register 2012. We know that effective CPR and the use of an automated external defibrillator within the first 3-5 minutes of cardiac arrest can produce survival rates as high as 49% – 75%.

Recognising cardiac chest pain is particularly important, since the probability of cardiac arrest occurring as a consequence of acute myocardial ischemia (heart attack) is at least 21%-33% in the first hour after the onset of symptoms. Immediate CPR, following collapse, can double or triple the survival from cardiac arrest. Reducing trained responder response times to 5 minutes could almost double the survival rate for cardiac arrests.

Upon receipt of a 999/112 call Community First Responders are dispatched simultaneously with the National Ambulance Service. First Responders are only dispatched to Chest Pain, Breathing difficulty, Choking, Stroke and Cardiac related calls within a three mile (5km) 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

REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVES

Southern Region Representative

Iain Grant

Iain is a volunteer CFR with ECRR CFR-Carrigtwohill since it was set up in Sept 2016. He took over the role as group co-ordinator and plays an active role in fundraising activities for the group as well as CPR public awareness sessions. He is also an IHA/AHA instructor. Iain is also on the committee of East Cork Rapid Response and looks after all of their IT for the website and emails. He has always been involved in first aid in his previous jobs in the airline industry and current job in travel and tourism.

Leinster Region Representative

Johathan Lynch

Jonathan is co-founder / current chair of AFR CFR scheme which covers 7 townlands in the south Meath area. Established in 2014, AFR has 60 members, manages 11 PADs and provides 24/7 cover. Jonathan is an EFR Instructor and EMT and has been involved with CFR schemes since 2009 along with being an active member and instructor with Civil Defence. Professionally Jonathan worked in third level educational engagement for many years, before joining the NAS earlier this year.

Southern Region Representative

Jason Connery

Jason is a volunteer CFR with Charleville First Responders, which he is currently the Secretary of the group. He is also a CFR/AHA instructor. Jason has been involved with neighbouring CFR groups both training new members and assisting groups from the beginning with their effort to go live with the NAS. He has a professional background in the Merchant Navy. He has currently holds a position of SAR Mission Coordinator with the Irish Coast Guard. In his spare time he enjoys GAA and sailing.

Youth Representative

Grainne Christie

Grainne, I am founding member of Kilcock Community First Responders and for the past year have been coordinator.  I am currently training to become a nurse. My main goal with CFR Ireland is to promote and advise the inclusion of youth members within groups.

Southern Region Representative

Mark Beer

I have been part of Lismore CFR since 2014 and Chairperson since January 2020. Our group formed in 2013 and has 12 active members. I have been an EFR since 2017 and was IEC trained in my previous job as a firefighter. I was a firefighter for 30 years in London Fire Brigade and attended many large incidents. Currently I work as a Neuromuscular Therapist, Personal Trainer and Strength & Conditioning Coach. In 2020 I co-founded Lismore Covid19 Updates & Assistance Group where we provide help and updates to those that are most vulnerable in our community. I am an keen ultra runner & a massive Munster rugby fan.

Leinster Region Representative

Peter Rossiter

Peter Rossiter is a founding member of the Celbridge Community First Responders and is current chair of the group. Peter is qualified as an emergency medical technician (EMT) and is a member of Dublin Civil Defence where he is in charge of the medical bike unit.  He has a background in IT project management and is currently working in that area. Peter is a keen photographer and also owns a German shepherd called Lexi.

Western Region Representative

Katrina Sheerin

Katrina is a volunteer, co-founder and current Chairperson of Eslin CFR Co. Leitrim since it was set up in 2019. Her previous role as a paramedic in NAS and as a volunteer in Dublin Civil Defence SAR gives her a great insight to the workings and importance of voluntary groups and respect for the role they play in each community. Katrina plays an active role in fundraising, training and community engagement within Eslin CFR. Her experience in hospitality management was a benefit when setting up the group along with the other volunteers and hopes her overall experience can help other groups too and be more involved with CFR Ireland.

Leinster Region Representative

Gerry Ward

Gerry is Co-founder and CFR volunteer with Castleblayney First Responders Co Monaghan established in 2016. He has over 20 years’ experience working as a retained Firefighter with Monaghan Fire & Civil Protection. He also volunteers with St Johns Ambulance as an Emergency Medical Technician. He is also a PHECC EFR Instructor and a IHF Basic Life Support Instructor and is actively involved in training first aid and CPR skill to his community.

Western Region Representative

Stephen Barnes

Stephen is a retired H&S professional with 20 years experience of H&S and
contract management in the oil, gas and chemicals industries during which
time he was also a registered IOSH training provider. He has been a
volunteer CFR with Kilbeagh Community First Responders in Charlestown,
Mayo since 2019. He currently serves on the committee of KCFR with a remit
for H&S and training.
Earlier in his working life he served as a police officer and later as a civil
enforcement officer.
He enjoys walking his dogs and hillwalking when time allows.