A group of volunteer islanders received Emergency First Responder Certificates and Emergency Services Driving Certificates from the HSE National Ambulance Service (NAS) at a special presentation held on Árainn/Inis Mór, off the coast of Galway, in recent weeks.

The group of volunteers, co-ordinated by Ronan Mac Giollapharaic, completed the Emergency First Responder (EFR) course and Level One of the Emergency Services Driving Certificate. They were presented with their certificates by John Joe McGowan, NAS General Manager Operations West, and Tony Canavan, Regional Executive Officer (REO), HSE West and North West.

The event also marked the delivery of a new ambulance vehicle to the island to replace an older vehicle. The new vehicle, supplied by NAS, represents a significant investment in training, and it equips the islanders as part of ongoing planning for medical emergencies.

Tony Canavan, REO, HSE West and North West, explained that “our health services are going through a significant change at the moment, and hopefully significant improvement as well. I think one of the things that really strikes me is that it's not going to be possible for the HSE to make those improvements and to continue to deliver care in the way that we want to if we try do it on our own - we must do it in a partnership way. 

“And so this is an example of how our health services can achieve progress - when hospital, community and the National Ambulance Service come together and work with the broader community to provide healthcare at the right time and in the right place. By working in partnership with the islands and with communities such as Inis Mór, we can extend the reach of healthcare. It's a good example of not just presenting services to people on a take-it or leave-it basis, but working actively with people as partners in their own healthcare.”

John Joe McGowan, NAS General Manager Operations West, said he was delighted to be able to present Emergency First Responder Certificates to Ronan Mac Giollapharaic and the group. He said they were making a real difference on the island and that NAS was delighted to support them and all their work as First Responders providing assistance to their fellow islanders, and visitors, to Inis Mór.

He also said that the provision of a new ambulance on the island was very welcome and that it was a valuable resource for the entire community.

On behalf of the Inis Mór Emergency First Responders group, Ronan Mac Giollapharaic thanked NAS for all the support it has given to the group and he very much welcomed the arrival of the new ambulance: “It is great to be involved with the EFR group and I want to thank each and every one of the volunteers for the work they do and for becoming involved.”

John McShane, Community Engagement Officer, NAS, added that “Community First Responders are integral to community resilience - especially in austere environments such as our offshore islands. NAS is committed to working within these communities to provide the quickest possible response to patient emergencies. Having islanders trained to the level of Emergency First Responder means that they are equipped with the knowledge and skills to treat a variety of medical and traumatic emergencies ahead of an emergency response vehicle arriving on the scene.” 

Dr Marion Broderick, retired GP, accepted a certificate of appreciation from NAS to the local community - acknowledging the many years of voluntary service islanders have given to support the emergency services.

Find more information on becoming a Community First Responder volunteer