Anyone can save a life.

Strengthening the Chain of Survival in our community.

ABOUT
A Community First Responder (CFR) is a non-medical volunteer trained to attend certain emergency calls in the area where they live or work. The aim is to have the individual reach a potentially life threatening emergency in the first vital minutes before the ambulance crew arrives.
Their role is to stabilise the patient and provide the appropriate care, including defibrillation, until the more highly skilled ambulance crew arrives on scene to take over the treatment. In the case of a cardiac arrest, every second is vital so the arrival of assistance in such a timely fashion is essential.


The aims of the North Kilkenny CFR Group, which is comprised of Johnstown, Crosspatrick, Galmoy and Gathabawn CFR and Urlingford and Graine CFR, will be:
  1. To provide life-saving emergency assistance via dispatch from NAS to members of the appropriate areas as an interim measure until more qualified medical assistance is available
  2. To promote CPR and the use of an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) by members of the community through training and information sessions held within the locality.
  3. To provide training on life-saving skills to all interested groups within the area.
  4. To work with the National Ambulance Service, CFR Ireland and all associated groups to provide up-to-date information on the techniques.

Operating since  2017 and 2024 respecitvely, the teams serve the local community 365 days a year. We thank you for visiting!
WHAT'S NEW?

Interested in learning CPR? Well check out our training schedule as we have classes every quarter throughout 2026!

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Training Courses and Fundraising Events

Upcoming Events

TitleDate
Heartsaver CPR training07 Mar 2026To Be Announced
Heartsaver CPR training04 Jun 2026To Be Announced
Heartsaver CPR training10 Sep 2026To Be Announced
Heartsaver CPR training21 Nov 2026To Be Announced

Join us - Johnstown, Crosspatrick, Galmoy and Gathabawn CFR 

  • Johnstown, County Kilkenny, Ireland

Want to learn more about what we do? Or learn about Community First Responders in your area? Please feel free to contact us by phone, email or through our social media sites OR watch the video below for more information on Become a CFR.


Join us - Urlingford and Graine CFR 

  • Urlingford, County Kilkenny, Ireland

Want to learn more about what we do? Or learn about Community First Responders in your area? Please feel free to contact us by phone, email or through our social media sites OR watch the video below for more information on Become a CFR.


Social Media Pages

Johnstown, Crosspatrick, Galmoy and Gathabawn

Facebook site

Johnstown, Crosspatrick, Galmoy and Gathabawn

Instagram Site

Johnstown, Crosspatrick, Galmoy and Gathabawn

Twitter/ X site

Urlingford and Graine

Facebook site

Urlingford and Graine

Instagram Site

Additional Information

AED Locations

AED Locations

There are a number of AED's, or Automated External Defibrillators, available for use by the public, should you ever require it. All cabinets listed below are open and available 24/7 and all equipment is maintained on a regular basis so it will be "rescue ready" at all times. If you ever have to use one, simply turn it on and listen to the prompts. It will guide you through exactly what to do. Once you return it to its' proper location, please call or text the number listed on the box so we can ensure new pads are purchased immediately.

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FINANCIAL

FINANCIAL

To review our annual financial statements, as submitted to the Charity Regulator, please click below.

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Our Guiding Documents

Our Guiding Documents

Enclosed in this folder are the documents we submitted to the Charities Regulator and which create the foundation of our group. These documents reflect the joining of the Johnstown, Crosspatrick, Galmoy and Gathabawn team with the Urlingford and Graine team and are our guiding force in running our group.

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Emergency Situations

Getting Help

Getting Help

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Hands only CPR

Hands only CPR

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Identifying the signs of Stroke

Identifying the signs of Stroke

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How To Use an AED/Defibrillator

How To Use an AED/Defibrillator

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Choking

Choking

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Meningitis and Septicaemia

Meningitis and Septicaemia

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Gallery

A training day was held for the South Carlow, Callan, Kilkenny City, Urlingford and Graine and Johnstown, Crosspatrick, Galmoy and Gattabaun CFR teams.

A big thank you to the staff and 5th/6th class students at Urlingford National School for a great day. The students were brilliant, learning CPR and how to use an AED. We hope the class was enjoyable for them and, hopefully, this life-saving skill will stay with them if they ever need to use it.

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Meet the Teams

James Reith

Managing Director, North Kilkenny CFR; CFR, Johnstown, Crosspatrick, Galmoy and Gathabawn

Cathy Dermody

Coordinator, North Kilkenny CFR; Board Trustee; Instructor; Submissions Secretary; Responder North Kilkenny CFR

Susan Broderick

Chairperson, Johnstown, Crosspatrick, Galmoy and Gathabawn CFR; Board of Trustees member , Meetings Secretary, North Kilkenny CFR, Instructor

Ann Murphy

Board Trustee, North Kilkenny CFR Group, Secretary for Minutes

Mary Phelan

CFR, North Kilkenny CFR Group

Phil Browne

Vetting Officer, North Kilkenny CFR

Michelle McCormack

Equipment Manager and Board Trustee, North Kilkenny CFR

Rachel Dermody

CFR, Johnstown, Crosspatrick, Galmoy and Gathabawn CFR

Lisa Butler

Correspondence Secretary, North Kilkenny CFR; CFR, Johnstown, Crosspatrick, Galmoy and Gathabawn CFR

Emma Phelan

Public Relations Officer, North Kilkenny CFR; CFR, Urlingford and Graine CFR

Paul Durnan

CFR, Urlingford and Graine CFR, Freshford area

Michael Joyce

CFR, Urlingford and Graine CFR

Ellen Lupton

CFR, Urlingford and Graine CFR, Freshford area

Donnacha Phelan

CFR, Johnstown, Crosspatrick, Galmoy and Gathabawn CFR

Viktoriia Pliuvaka

CFR, Urlingford and Graine CFR, Freshford area

Brendan Coady

Advanced Paramedic, Off Duty Responder

Glen Ellis

Advanced Paramedic, Off Duty Responder

For Responders

This section contains information specifically for our Responders. Documents have been password protected.

Meeting Minutes Johnstown

Meeting Minutes Johnstown

Minutes from meetings are available for view.

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Meeting Minutes Urlingford

Meeting Minutes Urlingford

Minutes from meetings will be available here.

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North Kilkenny Trustees Meetings

North Kilkenny Trustees Meetings

Minutes from the Trustees Minutes are available here.

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Responders Guide, etc

Responders Guide, etc

The Responder Guide has been produced to provide Responders with information about the policies and procedures associated with the role. Two versions of the document are provided: Publisher and PDF. For the PDF version, please look at page numbers to read sequentially. Also provided here is a "cheat sheet" on SAMPLE and OPQRST. You will review these in your induction training and throughout all training sessions.

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Text Back and Call Codes

Text Back and Call Codes

Enclosed in this section are two (2) "cheat sheets". The first reflects the codes that should be used when accepting a call from NEOC as well as when to send them. The second is a list of the AMPDS codes to which we respond currently. Please read these carefully. They will be provided to you during your induction training and reviewed thoroughly at that time.

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Business Plan

Business Plan

You will find the business plan for the current year here.

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Important Numbers

Important Numbers

In this section you will find various numbers that will assist you when going on call. These will include the texting lines used by NEOC as well as numbers for your fellow Responders.

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LINKS

LINKS

Included here are links to some of the other sites you may need to access, from time to time. 1. PHECC: For both the CISM course as well as CPGs for all Responder call categories. 2. IHF general portal for information for the public. Instructors will have a separate portal containing paperwork, etc. This can be accessed from the Moodle website if needed. 3. HSELand entry portal for the courses you must complete to become a CFR and refresh every 2 years thereafter. 4. Moodle website used by NAS to communicate to CFR's. 5. CFR Ireland

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Training schedule

Training schedule

Enclosed is a spreadsheet denoting which training sessions each Responder has attended as well as the session which they are responsible for devising. Please remember that you are required to attend one (1) training session every two (2) months at a minimum. Failure to do so may result in your suspension from attending calls with the team and, if not resolved, your removal from the roster completely. It is essential we maintain our skills to the highest standard, regardless of what our other roles may be.

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New Members 

As a new member of the team, there are certain items that must be completed prior to going out on calls. Listed below are those items, to whom they are be directed and a detailed explanation about how to complete them.

NAS Documents

The following items are confirmation to the National Ambulance Service of your desire to be registered with them. In most cases, it merely requires some basic information about you (name, address, etc) and a signature. Other documents (ie. ) are for your reading pleasure and explain, from NAS's perspective, more about the program. Please ensure you complete the forms associated with the team which you are joining (ie. Johnstown or Urlingford). All documents should be returned to your Coordinator via the Document Upload tab on this website.

Team Documents

These documents are related specifically to your new role and the expectations of you. The "Paperwork Explanation" will help you better understand exactly what to do and to whom the item needs to be supplied. The Code of Conduct lets you know what we will be expecting of you when you represent this team on calls or at any other public event. Again, please complete the form associated with your specific team. As part of going on call, you must inform your car insurance provider and ensure they indemnify you to the National Ambulance Service while on duty. This should not increase your rates or, if so, only minimally. If you run into difficulties, speak to either your Chair or Coordinator. The form included here is to provide insurance details to your Coordinator. There are also a number of online courses that must be completed prior to going on call. The links to the websites can be found in the "For Responders" tab of this site under the heading "Links". All documents should be sent to your Coordinator via the Document Upload tab of this website and each document name should contain our name in it.

Vetting

Prior to being allowed out on call to the public, you must be vetted by the GardaÍ. The attached forms, again specific to the team you will be joining, must be completed and handed in to the Coordinator in as timely a fashion as possible via the Document Upload tab on this website. You must attach two copies of photo ID's (preferably driver's licence and passport) as well as an invoice showing your postal address, dated within the last 6 months. This information is submitted by our Vetting Officer and will generate an email to you to complete an online form detailing all your previous addresses, etc. Please ensure you complete this online form in its entirety and as soon as possible (as there is a time limitation on the process). The Vetting Officer will then receive back a report when the process is completed and you are cleared to attend patients.

Induction training UNDER CONSTRUCTION

In order to better understand your role, we have created a series of presentations reviewing various aspects of what is involved. These will be reviewed with your instructor however we have also provided a copy of the documents here so you can review them from time to time.

Document Upload for CFR's

Please upload your various certificates or forms as you complete them. Each certificate/form name should contain your name and the type of cert you are submitting, for example John Smith CISM.docx. You should also upload your information regarding your insurance certificate however this will be kept in confidence by your Coordinator. It is YOUR responsibility to ensure you are compliant with all requirements and to maintain this at all times. 
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