What is a CFR?

Community First Responders (CFR) are volunteers who are trained to attend certain types of emergency calls in the area where they live or work. Their aim is to reach a potential life threatening emergency in the first vital minutes before the ambulance crew arrives.

Their role is to help stabilise the patient and provide the appropriate care including CPR & defibrillation, until the more highly skilled ambulance crew arrives on scene to take over the treatment.

To Become a CFR

In order for Community First Responders to become active responding to emergency incidents on behalf of the National Ambulance Service there are a number of basic requirements.

All Responders must:

• Have a can do and positive attitude towards helping your community
• Be over 18 years of age
• Be of good character and willing to learn.
• Have access to a fully insured vehicle ( and licensed to drive it ) or transport enabling you to reach the patient within the assigned time & radius.
• NO medical experience is necessary as all training will be provided by your scheme.
• Be Garda Vetted ( by your Scheme Manager )

Whilst these requirements are mandatory for a response role, many CFR schemes have a variety of alternative volunteer positions including training, administration and fundraising. Contact your local CFR scheme to learn how you can be part of a lifesaving team.

CFR groups who are linked to the National Ambulance Service-NAS National Emergency Operations Centre are alerted to an emergency in their area and as they are community based, can provide medical assistance within minutes of a 112/999 call being received