Published: Monday, 23rd January, 2012 9:30am

Defibrillators but no first responders in Daingean

by Laura Ryder

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Daingean residents are being urged to step up to the challenge of becoming a "first responder" as the town has two defibrillators and a first responder group was run by fire officers based in the town's fire station until it closed last year. Now calls are being made for locals to form another first responder group to deal with emergencies requiring a defibrillator.

Secretary of Daingean Development Association Gillian Barratt said the current push to form a group is the result of an information evening that was organised by Offaly County Council and the HSE before Christmas. "With cutbacks you can't guarantee an ambulance is going to get there in time anymore," she said, urging locals to get involved. She explained that approximately 14 people are necessary for a first responder group that would see each member on call for two fortnights per year. She said she's particularly keen to get a new group off the ground as currently the town is well-equipped with defibrillators but has no-one to use them. "We're ahead of most towns with two defibrillators," she said.

Training is to be arranged in the coming months. All enquiries regarding the new group should be directed to Gillian on 087 7476589.