Electric Picnic helps Laois town train volunteers to save lives

With help from the Electric Picnic, local businesses and the wider community, Stradbally now has two publicly accessible defibrillators and 30 trained volunteers ready to swing into action when needed.

A number of the volunteers were awarded with certificates at a special presentation evening in The Malthouse in Stradbally last  Tuesday, April 4.

The volunteers are all trained up in pre-hospital cardiac first response and can use the town's two defibrillators  to help save lives. 

In case of an emergency, these volunteers will answer a dedicated 24 hour emergency phone number.  The two defibrillators are in special heated boxes and accessible at all times. Thanks to the support of local businesses, the defibrillators are located outside two of the busiest stores in Stradbally.  

Co-ordinator and founder of Stradbally Cardiac First Responders, Noel Ryan, was delighted with the community response around the lifesaving initiative. He thanked the volunteers and spoke to the group about how a conversation had resulted in  the  defibrillators being set up in Stradbally. 

Noel recalled the conversation he had with retired surgeon Peter Naughton in Portlaoise who was, at that  time, conducting a survey of the number of public defibrillators located in the county and their availability to the public in case of emergency. 

“There was a lot of defibrillators in Laois but unfortunately not available to the public after working hours,” Noel said. 

“This was a shock to me. While discussing this to a friend who had lost his much-loved partner suddenly,  it spurred me on to try to rectify this situation in Stradbally,” Noel explained. 

“We have two defibrillators in Stradbally today in heated outdoor cabinets, available to the public 24/7.” 

“One defibrillator was purchased from a donation from Electric Picnic Residents Committee and one from a local business,” he said. 

“We have over 30 volunteers fully trained and certified in pre hospital emergency care CPR.  We have a phone specially dedicated to emergency calls and it is manned 24/7 in case of emergency, you can dial our number on 085 1847956 and of course dial 112 our 999 for emergency services,” said Noel.  

Pictured above volunteer Derek Beale receiving his certificate

“We as a group would like to thank LOETB(Laois Offaly Education Training Board) Portlaoise who funded our training and also Derek Phelan of The Maltings Training for his professionalism, also Laois County Council and the Lions Club,” Noel said.  

Each of the trained volunteers were given certificates and high-visibility bibs, sponsored by BM Construction and Civils, Stradbally.

The group thanked Simpson's Gala, who allowed their premises and  electricity to be used for the special defibrillator  box and Supervalu in Stradbally who facilitated the second defibrillator.  

The group also extended their thanks to Ce-Tek Medical in Limerick for supplying the defibrillators and  back up support to the volunteers.   

Easter Sunday set to sparkle for Laois Rose Selection night

“We are always looking for volunteers. The more volunteers the less pressure on the rota,”   Noel said. 

If you would like to become a volunteer to possibly help save a life please contact Noel Ryan on 087 6577188 or Sean Coffey on 086 8802423.