Cork City Community First Responders are a group of approximately 40 volunteers, trained to attend certain types of medical emergencies and based in Cork city, within an 8km radius of Cork Opera House. Upon receipt of a 112/999 call to the emergency services, the Community First Responders can be dispatched simultaneously with the National Ambulance Service. The aim is to reach a life threatening medical emergency in the first vital minutes before the ambulance crew arrives to take over treatment. With current pressures on the National Ambulance Service due to the Covid-19 coronavirus Omicron variant, the Cork City Community First Responders are anticipating busier times in the days and weeks ahead. (front) Volunteer Barry O'Donoghue in PPE, with an AED (automated external defibrillator) with Rory Conlon (at rear). The Cork City group have attended 219 cardiac incidents since April 2021 and receive no HSE funding, instead relying on local fundraising and donations from the public. The portable emergency defibrillator units cost approx 1000euro and donations are always welcome. More First Responders are always needed. EMAIL admin@communityresponder.ie Pic: Larry Cummins