Critical CFR-Kilkenny

30/04/2026

26/04/2026

🚑🚑Week 6: Meet the Team 🚑🚑

This week, we are delighted to introduce Josie Lacey. Always bringing a positive attitude and a warm smile, Josie has been an incredible volunteer from day one. Her dedication and commitment continue to make a meaningful impact within our community.

Please join us in giving Josie a very warm welcome!

Name: Josie lacey

Lives: Kilkenny city

Hobbies :Crochet ,Crafts and gardening.

Day Job: Early Years Educator

Why did i join the cfr group: i wanted to give something back to the community and what better way than to help people when they need it most.

Why is the group important: its important to have people locally in your community who can step in and provide life saving assistance before the ambulance service arrives in medical emergency's.

Why encourage others to join: the more people who know hoe to provide CPR in the community, the greater the chance of saving a life. its such an important skill to have.

What do you enjoy most about the work involved: I enjoy meeting up with the team on training nights. as an OMAC volunteer i know the importance of bonding as a team and perfecting our skills so we can give our best to our community when they need our help.

25/04/2026

Callan Cardiac First Responders are running a FREE certified CPR course next week. Always interested in learning CPR and helping others or just want to up skill this would be the ideal opportunity.
For more info or to book your place please contact Callan Cardiac First Responders group .

❤️ Be the Difference: Learn to Save a Life
​Cardiac arrest doesn’t discriminate. It can happen anytime, anywhere, to anyone—regardless of age or health. But here is the powerful truth: YOU have the power to change the outcome.
​By combining high-quality CPR with the use of an AED, you can double, or even triple, a person’s chance of survival. These aren't just technical skills; they are the tools to keep a family whole and give someone a second chance at life.

22/04/2026

Hi all,
Could we ask all our connections on Facebook to share this post to your page please.

We are trying to reach 1000 followers.

The page is Critical CFR-Kilkenny we are a new group that responds to 999 calls and has a team of highly skilled volunteers.

https://www.facebook.com/share/14aUQFWxQ3q/

If you could share this status and help us reach 1000 followers we would be delighted. Thanks so much all

21/04/2026

📢📢 Weekly challenge 📢📢

Hi all,
Could we ask all our connections on Facebook to share our page and repost this status to your page please.

We are absolutely overwhelmed with our followers and the warm comments and likes on our status and posts.

We are trying to reach 1000 followers.

The page is Critical CFR-Kilkenny we are a new group that responds to 999 calls and has a team of highly skilled volunteers.

https://www.facebook.com/share/14aUQFWxQ3q/

If you could share this status and help us reach 1000 followers we would be delighted. Thanks so much all

We're excited to launch a new volunteer-led Community First Responder group in Kilkenny City

20/04/2026

🚑🚑🚑🚑
An excellent and highly productive training session was held this evening in collaboration with our neighbours, the Callan CFR Group.

The session focused on the management of unconscious patients, CPR training, and coordinated full-team CPR scenarios. Participants also gained valuable hands-on experience with ambulance operations and familiarised themselves with the vehicle’s layout and equipment.

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to the Callan CFR Group for their participation, and to Kilkenny Civil Defence for generously providing access to their ambulance for training purposes
Callan Cardiac First Responders Kilkenny Civil Defence Critical - Emergency Medical Response

20/04/2026

A volunteer community first responder (CFR) from Tipperary, who attended a call for a local person experiencing chest pains, never imagined that he too would be needing the support of his volunteer colleagues and the National Ambulance Service before the end of the day.

Gerry Fitzgerald, a member of CRITICAL’s Carrick-on-Suir CFR group, was walking near his home in Carrick-on-Suir when he began experiencing severe chest pain. He quickly recognised what was happening, returned home and dialled 999. 'I gave the information to the call taker and asked them to activate the CFR group straight away. A member of the team was at my house within two minutes.'

'The relief my wife and I felt when Michael arrived with all the gear was incredible, I knew I was in safe hands. It seemed like the stars aligned for me that day because an ambulance was available and arrived shortly after.'

'I even knew the crew because we had both responded to a chest pain call earlier that day. Everyone worked together brilliantly, and I was brought to hospital in Clonmel.'

'My own experience meant that I really knew the difference we can make as first responders. I received really good care, and it’s great to be able to do that for someone else in my local community'

19/04/2026

🚑🚑 Week 5 of meet the team 🚑🚑
We’re so proud to introduce Alison O’Connor, one of our wonderful volunteers who has been shining from day one and making a real difference within the community let's give a massive warm welcome to alison💛

Name: Alison O Connor.

From: Originally from Bray but living in kilkenny the last 20 yrs.

Hobbies: Walking,Hiking, Rugby and Cooking.

Day job: I run a Doggy Daycare Walking and Boarding service.

Why did I join Kilkenny CFR:
I have always been interested in first aid and CPR and I joined the group to help out in the community.

Why do I think the CFR group is important:
The group is important as it provides life-saving care when it's needed.

Why would I encourage people to get involved:
I would encourage people to get involved so that they can provide life-saving care, learn new skills and meet new people.

What do I enjoy most:
I enjoy meeting new people and learning new life saving skills.

13/04/2026

Did you know we have corporate partnership packages available?

Our Heroes from HQ package brings CRITICAL volunteers directly to your workplace, delivering life saving training that equips your employees and colleagues with the skills and confidence to act in an emergency.

These are skills that go far beyond the workplace, making a real difference in homes, communities and everyday life.

Partnering with CRITICAL is also a meaningful way to strengthen your organisation’s corporate social responsibility, demonstrating a genuine commitment to community wellbeing while empowering your team to save lives.

Visit our website to learn more.

12/04/2026

📢📢 Week 4 of meet the team 📢📢

Let's give a massive warm welcome to our cfr volunteer Anne.This is Anne's experience so far to the group.

Name:Anne
Lives: Kilkenny city

Why did you join the CFR group:
I got involved with the Kilkenny CFR group because I wanted to play a more active role in helping people locally. It’s a great way to support the community while also gaining valuable skills that could be needed in lots of situations.

Why do you think the CFR group is so important?
CFR groups are essential because they bridge the gap in those first few minutes of an emergency. Being able to respond quickly can have a huge impact on someone’s outcome.

Why would you encourage others to get involved?
Volunteers are a key support to emergency services, helping to ease the pressure while providing immediate care and reassurance. You also gain practical skills that are useful in everyday life not just in emergencies. It’s a chance to be part of something that genuinely helps others.

What do you enjoy most about the role?
The most rewarding part is knowing you’re there to help others in the community. Being part of a team while building skills and confidence is also enjoyable, and knowing that I can use these skills elsewhere. I’ve gotten to know lots of new people locally and that’s always a bonus.

06/04/2026

👍👍Week 3 of meet the team 👍👍

This week we would like to warmly introduce you to Paddy McDonald.

Paddy Mc Donald.

Lives:Kilkenny City.

Martial Arts and Rugby Fan.

Former paramedic in the defence forces.

I joined the CFR group as I wanted to help members of my local community. Having previously crewed emergency ambulances upon placements, I know the difference trained first responders can make. I know that by being part of this group means I can provide initial help to members of the community until an ambulance arrives.

The CFR group is important because it provides life saving skills to members of the local community. The National Ambulance Service will always prioritise these calls but quite often members of the local CFR group may be closer to attend the scene with life saving equipment and start treatment until the ambulance arrives.

I would encourage people to join the group as it is a great way of giving back to the local community. Members of the group also learn skills such as using an AED managing a cardiac arrest, heart attack, a choking patient and a patient suffering a stroke.
As time goes on they will enhance their skill set which will allow them to treat patients who have fallen and patients who might have traumatic injuries.
It also allows members to get involved in fundraising activities and it could also be possible for people to become instructors in community first response courses.

What I enjoy most about being in the group is that I can give back to my local community. I understand the importance of being able to provide some basic care and reassurance to the patient and their family while they wait for the arrival of the ambulance. I also teach first aid courses and by being a member of this group it allows me to help members who might have little to no previous first aid experience. I enjoy helping the group coordinators.
I also find that the group has gelled together very well. I find that training sessions arefun but at the same time the group takes them seriously and works very hard on their skill sets.

05/04/2026

🐣🐣 We would like to extend our warmest Easter wishes to all our followers.

Today, we especially want to acknowledge our dedicated volunteers, whose professionalism and readiness to assist are truly appreciated.
We also wish a very happy Easter to all members of the National Ambulance Service — and in particular, the team at the Kilkenny base — for their tireless commitment and exceptional service every day.🐣🐣
National Ambulance Service (NAS) Critical CFR-Kilkenny