Portlaoise Community First Responders take responsibility for four defibs in town 

Portlaoise Community First Responders has announced that they are taking responsibility for the four Public Access AEDs in Portlaoise Town.

This comes after discussions with the National Ambulance Service who agreed that the group will be solely responsible for the maintenance and replenishment of the equipment. The group will carry out monthly safety checks and replace any equipment necessary. 

"We take this role very seriously as it is vital that all Public Access AEDs are in perfect working order to ensure if needed that they are at optimum performance to help save lives. As you can see from the photos we have already started work on this," said the group.

"We are a voluntary organisation and our volunteers will be carrying out the work in our own time, but most importantly as it is voluntary any funds needed to carry out this work will be paid for by the group."

To help cover the costs the group are appealing for donations from the community. Any individual, business, club or organisation that would like to make a donation can contact their social media pages or email portlaoisecfrfundraising@gmail.com.

"It is our goal as a voluntary organisation to keep the community of Portlaoise safe and in times of urgent need to assist with medical emergencies such as Cardiac Arrests, Strokes and Heart Attacks. We will attend the patient before the National Ambulance Service will," the group added. 

"We have plans to engage with the public in the town to identify locations where AEDs are needed and install new and additional AEDs to ensure the growing population of Portlaoise will have easy and immediate access to AEDs when required to help save lives. In 2025 our goal is to have CPR information sessions for the community so members can learn how to do CPR and use AEDs.

"We are also asking all businesses, workplaces, schools, organisations, sports clubs, housing estates  and more in the 5km radius centre of Lyster Square, Portlaoise that we cover, that have an AED on their premises and are willing to allow Public Access if required during their operational hours to contact us so we can list their AEDs also."