Learn to save lives in Portlaoise with Community First Responders
New group has trained over 200 people and attended 90 callouts
The Laois public are being invited to train up to help save lives in their communities at an open event this January.
Portlaoise Community First Responders (PCFR) group is a year old this January 2026 and to mark a successful 12 months, they are opening their next training session to the public.
The 11 dedicated volunteers have already attended nearly 90 callouts and have also trained 200 people in the community to use CPR and defibrillators.
They are on standby to attend cardiac arrests, heart attacks, chest pains, strokes and choking on behalf of the National Ambulance Service. It is a lifesaving volunteer role, because for every minute a person who has gone into cardiac arrest doesn’t receive CPR, their survival rate is decreased by 10%.
PCFR covers a catchment of 7km radius, from Kyletalesha and Eyne to Clonad and Cashel, Clonreher and Pallas to The Heath and Rock of Dunamaise and Portlaoise town in between. Ideally members should live within the area.
Portlaoise Community First Responder (PCFR) Samantha White.
"We are a diverse group of people, from varying walks of life, career skills and ages, unified by a common goal. Between us we speak six languages.
"We invite everybody in Portlaoise to come along and observe what we do and we can answer any questions and give out application forms.
"If people live outside our area they can still come along and can set up a group in their own communities.
"We welcome more members but they have to be a good fit, we have a good dynamic, everybody does their bit. It's really enjoyable being a part of the group," she said.
PCFR will hold their fortnightly training session at Portlaoise Library on Thursday evening, January 22 from 6.30pm to 7.30pm.
The training session will be open to the public to observe, followed by an informal meet and greet with the public.