THE Ardfert and District Community First Responders group, which was formed in May 2014, is to “go live” with the National Ambulance Service this weekend.

The group, made up of local volunteers, will respond to any 999 calls within 6km Ardfert that involve chest pain, stroke, choking or cardiac arrest.

The volunteers come from all walks of life including clerical worker, Garda, safety consultant, transport company owner and more. However, they have all signed up to go on call to try and save lives within their area.

The scheme possesses two kit bags that carry all the necessary equipment including defibrillators. When a 999 call goes into ambulance control in Dublin, they will determine the issue with the casualty and if one of the four categories falls within the 6km coverage area, the responders will be called out.

To date, over €3,000 has been spent to get the scheme up and running with funds coming from a table quiz, collection boxes and a Christmas show.

More funding will be required in the future to pay for training equipment such as manikins and training defibrillators but the crew are ready to respond to calls from midnight on Saturday.

The 6km radius starts from “The Fountain” in Ardfert village and covers a wide area including Ardfert, Kilmoyley, Liscahane, Ballyroe, The Spa, Churchill, Banna, Ballymacquin, Doon, Kerries East, Barrow, Ballymacandrew, Lerrig, Kilgulbin, as well as the outskirts of Abbeydorney, Fenit and Tralee.

The team said they are looking forward to helping people in need in the area and hope to make a difference in the communities that they serve.