Keeping hearts beating in Baconstown

For anyone experiencing cardiac arrest, the first 10 minutes are vital. Sadly, by the time an ambulance can get to some rural areas, it could be well be too late to save someone. This is where a first responders group comes in. On 6th July last, the Baconstown First Responders Group became active and a team of trained volunteers is now available to provide cardiac assistance in the local community in the event of an emergency. The Baconstown Group is the first such group to be established in Meath and the committee is hoping that other communities will follow suit. A committee was first formed in Baconstown in 2007 and it has been a long process for the group to receive full HSE approval and get up and running. Because their group is the first in Meath and the north-east area, committee member Carol King explained it was "new territory" and took a long time to be approved and become "active". However, she said they have paved the way for other groups so it should be a much quicker process for the next community which decides to establish a first responders group. There are 19 trained volunteers who are split into three groups covering different areas around Baconstown and its adjoining townlands. Each of the three groups has a defibrillator and an emergency phone and they aim to be on the site of an emergency within four to five minutes. Baconstown First Responders group covers the Baconstown area and surrounding townlands, including Ardrums, Rathroane, Ballinderrin, Posseckstown, Kilcorney, Jordanstown, Ballynaskea, Rathcore, Cloncurry, Connellstown, Ballinderry, Ballynakill, Cullentry and Clonguffins. When an emergency call is made to 999, the call is directed to ambulance control in Navan, which dispatch an ambulance to the scene. Ambulance control personnel have the numbers of the three mobiles which are with the defibrillators, and will call the first response team and give them the details. The volunteers then grab their kits and go. The first responder aims to be on-site in four to five minutes and assess the situation, start the response and continue until the ambulance arrives. It takes approximately 45 minutes for an ambulance to get to Baconstown from Navan so the first response team is a vital development. The purchase of the equipment and the training has all been financed through fundraising in the local community and with ongoing training needed, the group will be continuing to fundraise. Corporate funding or sponsorship from local businesses is welcome. The idea to set up a first responders group in the locality came when chairman John Lynam attended an open meeting held by Johnstownbridge First Responders in 2007 to encourage other communities to set up a group. In 2008, a committee was formed and members went around the area canvassing people's interest. Dr Maloney, the GP in Johnstownbridge, gave a talk to the local community to give them an idea of what was involved and how a first response group would work. They began fundraising and Ms King explained that they got the ball rolling with the HSE and also the Garda vetting process for the volunteers and training began. Ms King said they received a fantastic response to their fundraising and the local community "poured their hearts into it". The group was able to purchase three defibrillators, which cost €1,500 to €2,000 each, as a result of fundraising. It took two-and-a-half years to get full approval from the HSE and, in the meantime, training was ongoing with Eamon Leonard and Audrey Rossa of the North-East Ambulance Service. Ms King said they had great support from local man Brendan Flynn who works for the ambulance service. While his rota doesn't allow him be one of the assigned volunteers, if he is not working, the group can give him a call and he provides whatever support he can. Every 90 days, the volunteers undertake a refresher course and, every two years, they are re-certified. "This is a rural community and it could take up to 45 minutes for an ambulance to come from Navan. If there is a heart attack situation, the first 10 minutes are vital and we aim to respond within four to five minutes," said Ms King. The Baconstown First Reponders have been 'live' for just over a month and have not yet received a call, but are ready and waiting should any emergency situation arise. They are also seeking new members. Each group meets every three weeks to work out a rota and, at present, they are able to give 85 per cent coverage. With more members, they say they could increase this to 100 per cent. "The more members we have, the more times we will be able to cover. Early in the morning and at night is no problem but with a lot of people working during the day, this time can be difficult. It may suit somebody retired to get involved," said Ms King, adding that volunteers don't need a medical background to get involved and full training is given. As the group develops, Ms King said they will also learn more skills. An open training day will be taking place next month for new members on either 18th or 25th September with the date yet to be confirmed. Posters will be put up locally with the details. Anyone interested in volunteering or finding out more information, should contact committee member Carol King on (087) 204 2383.