Death of young fire fighter spurs proud wife to become first responder and donate defibrillator in his memory

A Bettystown woman has told of how her fire fighter husband's shock death from a brain aneurysm five years ago spurred her on to become a first responder and donate a life saving defibrillator in honour of the "love of her life."

Life changed forever in 2020 for Paula McLoughlin when her "gentle giant" husband, fire fighter and paramedic with Dublin Fire Brigade David died suddenly at the young age of 37 leaving her world shattered.

However brave Paula has since trained as a community first responder inspired by David's dedication to the fire service and his skills as a paramedic and hopes she can one day save a life as a new member of Meath Coast Community First Responders.

Not only that, the Bettystown resident originally from Dublin has donated a Public Access Defibrillator to the area as a tribute to her late husband and wants to highlight the importance of training in CPR.

" David was 37, it was very sudden, he died of a brain aneurysm so the reason why I'm doing this is for the girl five years ago who couldn't perform CPR on her husband," said Paula.

"That's why I'm doing this course and trying to advocate for people to have these kind of skills, it' s so important, it could save a life," she added.

"I had no training even though my husband was a fire fighter and paramedic, I didn't have those skills. I was oblivious to stuff like that happening to someone so young. I think it's very important for people to have CPR skills.

"I wish I had had them back then because I panicked in the moment. It was obviously a very distressing thing because it happened so suddenly."

Paula and David were married for just two years when he passed away and the fire fighter had many hopes for the future as his heartbroken wife explains;

"We were married for two years and together ten," said the newly trained first responder.

"He was a big gentle giant, he absolutely loved his job and it one of his greatest passions, he was so dedicated," she added.

"He was also looking at becoming an advanced paramedic but unfortunately the class never commenced with covid and then he died.

"I know that he would have worked his way up the ranks in the fire brigade, he was very much well liked and respected and very dedicated to his job."

Despite having to come to terms with her harrowing loss, Paula has made it her mission to find purpose in life in her husband's name.

"My motto is always that I'm doing it for David, it is kind of what got me through the early days especially," explains Paula.

"David was meant to do a 100km cycle the day we buried him that was cancelled in the end because of covid.

"So in 2021 I did the cycle in honour of David and we raised money for Beaumont Hospital which is where he was taken care of.

" It has taken me this long to get where I am because it was so sudden and it has been very hard. I'm very much looking for a purpose in my life."

Becoming a community responder has given Paula's like new meaning as she explains:

"Being part of a community organisation and being the change you want to see is very important. I'm just ready for living life again and living life with purpose.

"It came at a time I was ready to give back and do something that would make a difference in somebody else's life. So many people rallied around me that day, I'd like to be that person for someone else. You never think you'll end up in that situation until you are in it."

The new defibrillator will soon be installed in the Elmeley housing estate (Golf Links Road, Bettystown). It will be available 24/7 and registered with the National Ambulance Service (NAS) once installed.

"The defibrillator is a very fitting tribute for him.

"I'm new to the community, it was a total fresh new start for me but it;s like a little piece of David is looking after me in my new community."

Meath Coast CFR will be launching the new defibrillator and will be giving a live CPR & defibrillator demonstration on 22nd June at 12pm— a great opportunity for everyone, young and old, to learn vital life-saving skills and become a “link in the chain of survival.”