A reassuring new development in Westport for both locals and visitors is the news that a First Responders Unit is now operational in the town and currently has 15 volunteers all trained up and ready to be on the scene of an emergency in a matter of minutes. Not a replacement for the ambulance service, Westport First Responders works in tandem with the National Ambulance Service and is now gearing up for its first summer on call.
Thomas White explains: "Westport First Responders was set up in November 2019 but then due to Covid was stood down in March 2020 - before being activated from last August. It is affiliated with the National Ambulance Service so when someone calls 999, we get the same alert.
"We are all volunteers and the service works around the clock 24/365 on a rostered system so that there is always someone on call. We don't have a base but work from our homes. Tonight for example, I am on duty and I have two rural responders on with me and we work within a 6km radius of the post office in Westport.
"As I am in the town I am the centre point of the radius and if a call comes in, I am effectively on the scene within minutes and within a few more minutes, there will be someone else to support me.
"In the last couple of weeks the calls have become more frequent with the influx of people into the town and it is busy as well at weekends and during the many adventure sports events here; we could get up to ten calls a week, regarding such things as chest pain, stroke, suspected heart attack or somebody choking.
"When you call 999 a call-taker from the National Ambulance Control Centre will talk you through the emergency and then we would get to the scene and assess the patient against the information provided. We are qualified in Community First Response which enables us administer a basic level of care and assess what is needed. We will never replace an ambulance but it could take 20 minutes to a half hour for an ambulance to arrive.
"Community First Responders are very popular throughout Mayo, with a new operation in Ballina and also one in Hollymount, Ballyhaunis and Charlestown. We all work in tandem.
"This is our first summer and we are already fairly busy. Our purpose is to support the community in Westport and as we are all volunteers, we are always looking to recruit new members. It's not for everyone, in some cases they can be tough calls to go to; but we have a great team of volunteers who commit their time and effort every week. It's great to have the service in Westport and I believe it would be worthwhile also in any town where possible."
