Critical - Emergency Medical Response

Critical - Emergency Medical Response Ireland’s Leading Volunteer Emergency Medical Response Charity CRITICAL is the largest Volunteer Emergency Medical Response charity in Ireland.

CRITICAL volunteers provide pre-hospital emergency care to critically ill and injured patients in rural and urban areas across the country. Initially founded in 2009 as Irish Community Rapid Response, CRITICAL now has a growing network of volunteer responders operating in 20 counties in cities, towns, and villages. With over 160 medical volunteers, including emergency medical technicians (EMTs), paramedics, consultants and other qualified medical professionals, CRITICAL works in partnership with the National Ambulance Service (NAS) to respond to life-threatening emergencies. CRITICAL envisions an Ireland where communities and those living in it have equal opportunity to receive a rapid medical response in the event of a medical emergency, injury, accident, or trauma, no matter the location. We have teams of experienced Volunteer Emergency Medical Doctors, Medical Responders, and Community Responders in communities all over Ireland, with our medical response network steadily growing. We supply emergency medical response vehicles in key areas to experienced advanced or critical care doctors. These vehicles are kitted out with specialist medical equipment including defibrillators, chest compression systems and suction units as well as advanced medical and trauma kits. This allows our volunteer doctors to perform complex and often lifesaving medical procedures, wherever and whenever they’re called upon. We have ambitious plans to further expand this network. Our ground teams responded to more than 1,800 incidents over the last three years alone, working in partnership with the emergency services to give people the very best chance of survival when they find themselves seriously ill or injured. We fundraise to kit out our volunteers so they can continue their life saving work. It costs an average of €25,000 to establish an Advanced level Volunteer Doctor in the community and €120,000 to put a new Critical Care response vehicle on the road. Each lifesaving emergency backpack that we give to a responder in a community like yours costs and average of €1,500 to supply. With your help we will be able to expand this service to more locations across Ireland. Irish Community Rapid Response CLG T/A CRITICAL | Registered Charity No (RCN): 20070762

❗ Due to unforeseen circumstances the Mailn to Mizen cycle this Saturday has been postponed.A later date to be announced...
27/03/2026

❗ Due to unforeseen circumstances the Mailn to Mizen cycle this Saturday has been postponed.

A later date to be announced - stay tuned.

If you'd still like to show support to our new group Critical CFR-Kilkenny, you can make a donation on https://criticalcfr.enthuse.com/cf/7bdf/fundraiser #!/

Thank you

2 days to go... 🚴‍♂️Derek Feehan and Sham Creane are preparing to take on an incredible Malin to Mizen cycle in support ...
26/03/2026

2 days to go... 🚴‍♂️

Derek Feehan and Sham Creane are preparing to take on an incredible Malin to Mizen cycle in support of the new Critical CFR-Kilkenny group.

Covering up to 640km in just two days, this challenge is especially meaningful, with Derek’s brother David a valued member of the Kilkenny CFR team.

Funds raised will support vital equipment, helping the group continue to deliver lifesaving care in their community when it matters most.

If you can, please support. If not, a like or share helps more than you know.

Support here:
https://criticalcfr.enthuse.com/cf/7bdf/fundraiser #!/

We’re delighted to have been selected to receive £1000 through the Benefact Group Movement for Good Draw 💛A huge thank y...
26/03/2026

We’re delighted to have been selected to receive £1000 through the Benefact Group Movement for Good Draw 💛

A huge thank you to everyone who supported and voted for CRITICAL. Your support helps us continue to deliver lifesaving care in communities across Ireland.

Earlier this week members of our new Kilkenny CFR group visited St. Luke’s General Hospital to raise awareness and build...
25/03/2026

Earlier this week members of our new Kilkenny CFR group visited St. Luke’s General Hospital to raise awareness and build support ahead of their Malin to Mizen cycle taking place this Saturday 🚲

All funds raised will go directly towards essential equipment, helping the Critical CFR-Kilkenny team continue to deliver lifesaving care within their community.

You can support their journey here:
https://criticalcfr.enthuse.com/cf/7bdf/fundraiser #!/

Critical Youghal First Responders pictured with Aeromed01 (NAS) Aeromedical Service at a call earlier today 🚁We wish the...
25/03/2026

Critical Youghal First Responders pictured with Aeromed01 (NAS) Aeromedical Service at a call earlier today 🚁

We wish the patient a speedy recovery.

Thank you to our volunteers for making a real impact in their communities.

24/03/2026

🚲 This Saturday two dedicated soldiers and cyclists, Derek Feehan and Sham Creane will be taking on a Malin to Mizen cycle in support of the new Critical CFR-Kilkenny group!

All funds raised will go directly towards essential equipment, helping the Kilkenny CFR group continue to deliver life saving support within their community. With ongoing pressure on ambulance services, Community First Responders play a vital role in bridging the gap and providing urgent care when it matters most.

Every donation, no matter the size, makes a real difference. If you’re not in a position to donate, we would greatly appreciate your support through a like, comment or share to help spread the word.

You can support their journey here:
https://criticalcfr.enthuse.com/cf/7bdf/fundraiser #!/

An early wake up for one of our Dublin based volunteer doctors who was alerted to a swimmer with injuries caused while d...
23/03/2026

An early wake up for one of our Dublin based volunteer doctors who was alerted to a swimmer with injuries caused while diving into the water in the famous 40ft bathing area in sandycove.

We wish the patient well with their recovery ❤️

Dun Laoghaire Coast Guard

An incredible challenge is underway as Derek Feehan and Sham Creane, two dedicated soldiers and cyclists, take on a Mali...
23/03/2026

An incredible challenge is underway as Derek Feehan and Sham Creane, two dedicated soldiers and cyclists, take on a Malin to Mizen cycle in support of the new Critical CFR-Kilkenny group!

The pair will cycle from Malin to Mizen, covering an impressive 600 - 640km, starting on March 28th and finishing on March 29th. Derek’s brother, David, is also a valued member of the Kilkenny CFR team, making this effort all the more meaningful.

Funds raised will go directly towards essential equipment, helping the Kilkenny CFR group continue to deliver life saving support within their community. With ongoing pressure on ambulance services, Community First Responders play a vital role in bridging the gap and providing urgent care when it matters most.

Every donation, no matter the size, makes a real difference. If you’re not in a position to donate, we would greatly appreciate your support through a like, comment or share to help spread the word.

You can support their journey here:
https://criticalcfr.enthuse.com/cf/7bdf/fundraiser #!/

🚨 A new CFR group has been established in Kilkenny City with a team of 16 volunteers who are responding to cardiac arres...
20/03/2026

🚨 A new CFR group has been established in Kilkenny City with a team of 16 volunteers who are responding to cardiac arrests and other life-threatening emergencies.

The fully trained volunteers come from a wide range of backgrounds including the emergency services, defence forces, retail and business.

Paul O’Carroll, coordinator of Critical CFR-Kilkenny group said, “There is an incredible spirit of volunteering in Kilkenny and we already have a waiting list of people who want to join our team. Our volunteers have been training every second week for more than six months to prepare for life-threatening emergencies that our communities may face. We know that early interventions save lives. Being able to respond quickly within our own locality can make all the difference for a patient and their family.”

Read the full story on www.criticalcharity.ie/critical-charity-launch-new-community-first-responder-group-in-kilkenny/

A huge thank you to Foilmore Social Dancing for their incredible generosity! Through a series of dances throughout 2025,...
18/03/2026

A huge thank you to Foilmore Social Dancing for their incredible generosity! Through a series of dances throughout 2025, they raised an amazing €4155 for CRITICAL 👏

Thank you for supporting your local community in such a wonderful way! Every euro raised will help us continue providing life saving emergency response when every minute counts.. 🚑❤️

17/03/2026

Lá Fhéile Pádraig sona daoibh! ☘️

Wishing you a very happy St. Patrick’s day from all at CRITICAL

Please join us in welcoming Aruna Singh to the CRITICAL team 👋Aruna will be working with the charity for the next eight ...
16/03/2026

Please join us in welcoming Aruna Singh to the CRITICAL team 👋

Aruna will be working with the charity for the next eight weeks as part of her Master’s in Public Health at University of Limerick, where she will complete her practicum and carry out research with us.

We’re delighted to have her on board and look forward to working with her during her time with the charity.

Welcome Aruna!

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Croom
V35XT25

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+353214190999

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Our Story

Irish Community Rapid Response - By Land and Air was established in 2008 to deliver professional pre hospital care directly to the site of medical emergencies throughout Ireland. Our volunteer doctors have made a significant difference while working in association with the National Ambulance Service (NAS) when responding to 999/112 emergency calls. Building on our experience and success we launced Ireland's first charity Air Ambulance/ Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) in July 2019. In our first year of service we responded to over 520 taskings through the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC). The NEOC deploys the Air Ambulance as an asset of the NAS, in response to 999/112 calls.

Based out of Rathcool in North Cork, the Irish Community Air Ambulance provides a vital service to people experiencing time critical life threatening emergencies, bringing an Advanced Paramedic to them within minutes of the inital call to 999/112.

The main call outs include Cardiac Arrest, Road Traffic Incidents, Stroke, Fall from Height, Farm and Equestrian related injuries.

As a charity, we rely on public donations to fund the costs of keeping the helicopter in the air.