The Donegal Firefighters Association has generously presented €500 towards the Irish Community Air Ambulance.
This money goes towards funding a Critical Care Rapid Response service, which is staffed by retired Letterkenny Hospital consultant, Mr Gerry Lane.
Over the years, Firefighters have worked alongside Mr Lane and the excellently trained National Ambulance Service and know the difference such vast experience and training can make towards positive outcomes in out of hospital care.
The Donegal Firefighters Association is delighted to be able to contribute towards this vital service.
Stephen Kelly (pictured centre), a firefighter from Letterkenny Fire Service, presented the cheque to Pat and Paul, representing the Community Air Ambulance.
Meanwhile, The Community Air Ambulance is launching a fundraising campaign at the National Ploughing Championships to provide its ground based Volunteer Emergency Medical Responders with advanced lifesaving equipment.
The charity has set a target of raising €100,000 to purchase portable ventilators.
The organisation’s volunteer medics are often called to rural and isolated locations across Ireland which is why it has chosen the National Ploughing Championships as the location to launch the campaign.
Visitors to the charity’s stand will be able to tap to donate and will be able to monitor the progress of the fundraiser on a big screen.
The Air Ambulance works in partnership with the National Ambulance Service and is tasked to treat serious and life threatening emergencies.
The HEMS (Helicopter Medical Emergency Service) Air Ambulance is based in Rathcool, Co Cork with its Volunteer Emergency Medical Responders on the ground in Dublin, Mayo, Donegal, and Wicklow.
The ground fleet includes five Advanced and Critical Care Emergency Medical Responder vehicles.
They are staffed by Volunteer Doctors who volunteer their time and provide hospital-level interventions at the scene.
By responding to the patient in the community quickly, the specialist doctors can intervene earlier, essentially bringing the Emergency Department to the patient and giving them the best chance of survival.
For more information about the Irish Community Air Ambulance or to donate visit: https://communityairambulance.ie/