MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM PLANS CENTRE AROUND NEW TRAINING BASE 
Dublin and Wicklow Mountain Rescue Team (DWMRT) has big plans in place to future proof the service it provides over the next few decades. The team recently submitted a planning application to Wicklow County Council for a proposed new 6,000 square foot two-storey mountain rescue centre and training facility. ‘FRONTLINE TO FINISHLINE’ RELAY RAISES €15K FOR TWO CHARITIES
Gardaí, fire and ambulance service personnel, community first responders and members from other frontline services who participated in ‘Frontline to Finishline’ charity relay walk have raised up to €15,000 in total in aid of Pieta House and ALONE. IRISH CHARITIES LAUNCH GLOBAL CORONAVIRUS APPEAL
Six of Ireland’s leading international aid charities have joined forces to form the Irish Emergency Alliance in response to the worsening global Covid-19 pandemic and in a bid to save lives in some of the poorest countries in the world. TELEMEDICINE ZOOMS IN ON A NEW DIGITAL AGE OF PATIENT CARE
Telemedicine may now well become part of the ‘new norm’ and looks set to continue into the future, since the pandemic propelled the Irish healthcare sector into a new digital age, by creating an upsurge in the use of video solutions for medical consultations.
‘SHADOW WARRIORS’ LIFTS THE LID ON IRELAND’S SPECIAL FORCES
A new book ‘Shadow Warriors: The Irish Army Ranger Wing’ is the first and only authoritative account of this special forces unit that looks at their inception, advanced training and operations at home and overseas, without breaching operational procedures or tactics, writes co-author Sgt Wayne Fitzgerald. IRISH AIR CORPS OPERATIONS WING – WATCHFUL AND LOYAL
The Irish Air Corps’ Helicopter Wing, initially formed to focus mainly on Search-And-Rescue operations during the ‘Big Freeze’ in 1963-64, has since developed to provide air medical and support roles to protect and serve communities throughout Ireland, making this small force one of the most modern institutions of its kind in the world. WHAT WILL IT TAKE TO KEEP THE CURVE FLAT?
With a growing use of healthcare apps, wearable sensors and electronic healthcare records, HSE’s National Ambulance Service is adapting technology to improve the services it offers, while allied health professionals have stepped up to expand their scope of practice to provide a safe high-quality service. WHO SUPPORTS OUR EMERGENCY RESPONSE WORKERS?
‘Emergency services at scene of accident’. Before the Covid-19 pandemic restricted essential travel, these headlines were read regularly, but often thought no more about. However, what about those people who respond to such horrific scenes time and time again, what effect does it have on them and who can they turn to when they need help? AIR AMBULANCE RETURNS TO SEVEN-DAY OPERATION
Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, a steady stream of donations and virtual fundraisers has enabled Ireland’s first Charity Air Ambulance Service return to a seven-day operation, and the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service can now continue its mission to save lives. ORDER OF MALTA COUPLE AT THE FRONTLINE OF COVID-19 RESPONSE
Dr Lisa Guthrie and her husband, Bernard, took on new roles within the Order of Malta Ambulance Corps in January and within the space of two months they found themselves in the middle of a pandemic. Based in Ballina, Co Mayo, the couple have been at the heart of the national response to the Covid-19 pandemic. LIFESAVING 24/7 CRISIS TEXT SERVICE NOW IN OPERATION
A new free text-based mental health service funded by the HSE is the first of its kind for Ireland to provide everything from a calming chat to immediate support for people going through a mental health or emotional crisis. It is expected that ‘50808’ will support over 50,000 people each year once it is fully operational. IRISH MEDIA PARTNER OF ‘EENA CONFERENCE’ 2021
‘Emergency Services Ireland’ is delighted to be the Irish media partner of the EENA Conference & Exhibition, which has been deferred until next spring due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and will take place in the Latvian capital of Riga on 28-30 April 2021.
SUMMIT TO SAY ABOUT IRELAND’S FUTURE SECURITY NEEDS
There’s a huge appetite for a serious debate on Ireland’s future security needs, demonstrated by the wide ranging discussions from all sectors of the emergency services not to mention the very large attendance at the inaugural National
Security Summit, according to Dr Gerry Waldron, Director of Slándáil. FIRST RESPONDERS SUPPORT LIFE SAVING EQUIPMENT BILL
Following the recent theft of defibrillators in Louth and Wicklow, community first responders have continued their call for cross-party support for the Life Saving Equipment Bill, which proposes penalties of up to five years imprisonment and fines of €50,000 for those who steal or damage defibs or life buoys.
NOVEL DECONTAMINATION WIPE TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF COVID-19
The Defence Forces has collaborated with an Irish start-up company, based at NUI Galway, to provide Irish soldiers with chemical-free decontamination wipes to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus, following product trials by the Ordnance Corps. AIR AMBULANCE CHARITY SEEKS PUBLIC DONATIONS
Over 600 lifesaving missions could be flown by Ireland’s first charity-led Air Ambulance this year, but the charity now needs public support to continue to provide this Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) nationwide, launched by Irish Community Rapid Response last September. BLOOD BIKER CONTINUES TO ROLL WITH IT!
Dying twice in the back of an ambulance made Fergus Lennon want to give back to those who helped to keep him alive and to the wider community. Following extensive rehabilitation and having to retire from work due to his ongoing heart concerns, the emergency medical volunteer says that he could not just sit back and do nothing, and is now the director of Blood Bikes Leinster/Medical Transport. SUMMIT TO SAY ABOUT IRELAND’S NATIONAL SECURITY
'Emergency Services Ireland' is the media partner of the National Security Summit Ireland, which will take place on 25 & 26 February at The Helix in Dublin. Dr Gerry Waldron, Founder and Director of Slándáil, says their aim is to promote education, debate and discussion around national security issues in Ireland. BRINGING EMERGENCY RESPONSE BACK TO THE FUTURE!
Looking at ways to create a more accessible emergency response across different countries, the European Emergency Number Association (EENA) rolled out a one-year pilot project in 2019 to trial cases of Next Generation 112 to push Europe increasingly towards the use of messenger services and video calls. NEW ABERDEEN BASE FOR SCOTLAND’S CHARITY AIR AMBULANCE
Scotland's Charity Air Ambulance will operate a new air ambulance service this year from Aberdeen International Airport, under a new four-year contract with Babcock, which will see the aerial emergency services specialist operate and maintain the chopper from a new base at the airport. CAMPAIGN TO THE ‘rescEU’ AGAINST FOREST FIRES!
An extra layer of protection in Europe against forest fires has been rolled out in a new campaign by the Directorate-General for the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (DG ECHO). And further resources will be added over time to respond to other disasters including medical emergencies, biological, radiological, chemical and nuclear incidents. WATER SAFETY IRELAND REWARDS LIFESAVERS
Rescuers were recognised for heroically saving many lives from drowning, while lifeguards and swimming instructors were rewarded for their efforts in promoting water safety in their communities nationwide by Water Safety Ireland at the National Annual Awards Ceremony in UCD last November. DIABETES DRONE PROVIDES LIFELINE TO RURAL COMMUNITIES
New drone technology may be a viable option to ensure Ireland’s rural diabetic communities are provided with lifesaving support during emergency situations, following the world’s first successful drone flight from Connemara Airport to deliver diabetes medication to the Aran Islands. DELIVERING BLOOD TRANSFUSIONS AT TRAUMA SCENES
Major haemorrhage is one of the top causes of death from major trauma. And now for the first time in Ireland, blood transfusions can be delivered to trauma scenes, following the roll-out by hospitals and pre-hospital care providers in Dublin and Cork of a new blood transfusion service, which is also expected to reduce mortality rates. WOMEN IN THE FIRE SERVICE NETWORKING IN IRELAND (ISSUE 62)
The Women’s Fire Service Network in Ireland was launched at the Chief Fire Officers’ Association Annual Conference 2019, where integration and improved gender balance within the fire service were the central themes high on the agenda at this year's event in Monaghan.
BLOOD BIKER ROLLS OUT HIDDEN HEROES AWARDS 2019 (ISSUE 62)
This year’s Hidden Heroes Awards, which are now open for nominations, were launched recently by a motorcyclist who is a previous recipient of the award in recognition of his voluntary efforts in delivering emergency blood supplies to hospitals, hospices and other medical facilities free of charge. IRELAND LEADS THE WAY IN EUROPE ON ROAD SAFETY (ISSUE 62)
Ireland has won this year’s European Transport Safety Council’s Road Safety Performance Index award, for its drive to cut down on road deaths through a strategic multi-agency approach put in place by the Irish Government to tackle the problem. ROUND OF A PAWS FOR CHARITY FUNDRAISER (ISSUE 62)
Described as a man with “a seriously big heart”, Dermot Cosgrove has been raising money for ‘Irish Dogs for the Disabled’ since 2016, and to date he has raised over €13k to assist the incredible work of this charity. He has now started a 600km trek across Iceland in his latest fundraising effort to 'Walk for the Dogs'. YOUR HANDS COULD SAVE A LIFE! (ISSUE 62)
The Irish Heart Foundation’s free CPR community training programme – Hands for Life – is offering free CPR training to 100,000 people in local community centres, clubs and libraries throughout the country over the next two years. DEAL DONE WITH DANISH EMERGENCY SERVICES PROVIDER (ISSUE 62)
Critical Healthcare, which provides a comprehensive range of medical products and services to the pre-hospital market and ambulance providers in Ireland, the UK and Europe, has recently signed a deal worth €10m over five years with a leading international private provider of emergency services in Europe. HEALTHCARE CHARITIES CONTINUE TO MAKE AN IMPACT (ISSUE 62)
Dublin Wicklow Mountain Rescue Team and Irish Community Rapid Response were two of ten healthcare charities to be honoured at the 2019 GSK Ireland IMPACT Awards, in recognition of the real difference they're making within their communities. CORK CITY’S MISSING PERSONS SEARCH AND RECOVERY UNIT (ISSUE 62)
Cork City’s Missing Persons Search and Recovery Unit continues to provide an invaluable service to bereft families since it was founded in 2001. Similar to other charitable organisations, the unit always welcomes donations and it also recently rolled out a recruitment campaign to attract new volunteers on board. AN POST DELIVERS SPECIAL COAST GUARD STAMPS (ISSUE 62)
Marking the important role played by Ireland’s Coast Guard, An Post has issued two new stamps which features the artwork of Coast Guard volunteer Caitríona Lucas, who tragically lost her life during a search mission in Doolin, Co. Clare in September 2016.
CHARITIES REGULATOR CALLS ON CFR GROUPS TO RESPOND (ISSUE 62)
The importance for Community First Responder (CFR) groups to register with the Charities Regulatory Authority as part of the CRA-CFR Group Governance Scheme was outlined at RESPOND 2019 by Eamon O’Halloran, the Authority’s Head of Regulation and Projects. IRELAND’S THAI CAVE RESCUER REWARDED (ISSUE 61)
Irish caver Jim Warny played a vital part in the 2018 summer heroic rescue of the Thai junior soccer team and their coach. His contribution to the rescue mission is particularly amazing since caving is purely a hobby for this Lufthansa electrician, and he had not hesitation in diving in at the deep end at a moment’s notice! TIPP FIRE & RESCUE SERVICE IN TOP SHAPE! (ISSUE 61)
The recent Supreme Safety award win by Tipperary Fire and Rescue Service represents a first for any public service body in Ireland. Chief Fire Officer Dave Carroll tells Grace Heneghan it’s mainly down to the strides made towards improving their occupational health and safety management systems and working on a new and innovative health and wellness programme. IRISH RED CROSS LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD (ISSUE 61)
Pat Hume will be honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Irish Red Cross Humanitarian Awards Ball on 24 November, in recognition of decades of public service, working alongside her husband John Hume from the start of the civil rights movement in the 1960s, continuing during the Troubles and right through to the Good Friday Agreement in 1998. SARCALL SYSTEM AIDS MOUNTAIN RESCUE ON THE SUMMIT (ISSUE 61)
A new software package, first developed in the UK to enable mountain rescue teams to locate incidents, record incident data and capture debriefing data, is now being adopted by teams in Ireland. The Sarcall system, which was rolled out during ‘Reeks Sunday’ in Mayo passed the test, according to Donal McNamara, Regional Administrator for Sarcall in Ireland and a member of the South Eastern Mountain Rescue Association. FLYING IRISH FLAG AT SAT-NAV COMPETITION (ISSUE 61)
The Irish winner of this year’s European Satellite Navigation Competition for its ‘Jack-In-The-Box’ concept, which can be applied in search and rescue, environmental and disaster scenarios, will represent Ireland at the European Finals in Marseille at the ‘Space Oscars’ during European Space Week on 4 December. DUBLIN FIREFIGHTER TAKES ON COSTA RICA CHALLENGE FOR SICK CHILDREN (ISSUE 61)
Dublin firefighter Padraig Thompson, who has been involved in a number of fundraising challenges for the Children’s Medical and Research Foundation (CMRF) Crumlin over the last two years, is now training to run over 100 miles in six days through the jungle of Costa Rica in January 2019 to raise funds for some of Ireland’s sick children. UL PARAMEDIC STUDENTS GO ON VIRTUAL REALITY TOUR (ISSUE 61)
The Paramedic Studies Division of the Graduate Entry Medical School at University of Limerick has introduced 21st century technology to Ireland’s only CAO entry paramedic programme by incorporating Virtual Reality as part of the new anatomy teaching systems for this year’s cohort of paramedic students, writes Mark Dixon, Senior Lecturer and Course Director EMS GATHERING 2018 LOWDOWN FROM THE LEESIDE (ISSUE 61)
Cork Airport’s Police and Fire Service staged a simulated aircraft incident as part of this year’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Gathering in September. The three-day event enabled paramedics, firefighters, trauma doctors and other EMS personnel to build on their skills and be ready to respond to aircraft emergencies in their communities or at their local airports. ‘OPERATION PANGEA’ CRACKS DOWN ON ILLEGAL MEDS (ISSUE 61)
Up to 90,000 dosage units of illegal prescription medicines, worth €375,000, have been detained by the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA), in partnership with Revenue’s Customs Service and An Garda Síochána, as part of the Interpol coordinated Operation Pangea. LIFT-OFF FOR AIR AMBULANCE SERVICE (ISSUE 61)
Lives are to be saved as Ireland’s first-ever Charity Air Ambulance service, which touched down at Kerry Airport before taking flight to Wales on a ‘fuel for life’ promotional tour and fundraising campaign in recent weeks, is now taking to the air as a full-time daylight hours’ service. 150,000 EMERGENCY CALLS EVERY MONTH (ISSUE 61)
Up to 150,000 emergency calls are made every month in Ireland, according to the latest figures relating to Ireland’s emergency call answering service (ECAS), which is responsible for dispatching ‘112’ and ‘999’ calls to the relevant frontline emergency services. EMT EDUCATION DAY IN ENNISCRONE (ISSUE 61)
Education and integration were high on the agenda for voluntary and statutory emergency services personnel at the third annual Education Day for EMTs, which was hosted by Sligo Fire & Rescue Service at Enniscrone Fire Station during the summer. FREEDOM OF LIMERICK AWARDED TO BRAVE GARDAÍ (ISSUE 61)
The Freedom of Limerick City and County has been awarded posthumously to the late Detective Garda Jerry McCabe, who was shot dead by the IRA, and retired Detective Garda Ben O’Sullivan, who was shot and seriously injured, for their courage and bravery in foiling a post office robbery in the Limerick village of Adare in June 1996. RESCUE RESEARCH BUOYED UP BY LIFESAVING EXPERTS (ISSUE 61)
Issues such as non-swimmers wearing life jackets, child safety in water sports and RNLI saving lives through research and marketing campaigns were high on the agenda at this year’s Lifesaving Foundation’s Drowning Prevention and Rescue Research Conference in September. Report by John Connolly, Hon. Chief Executive of the Lifesaving Foundation. RAPID RESPONSE NETWORK SERVING THE COMMUNITIES (ISSUE 60)
Having created a network of over 200 volunteer doctors to respond to life-threatening emergencies in communities throughout Ireland since 2008, the Irish Community Rapid Response now plans to recruit more medics over the next five years. NEW DRONE SOFTWARE PROVIDES SOLUTIONS IN SEARCH & RESCUE (ISSUE 60)
DroneSAR has become the first company in the world to develop software that can turn a commercial drone into a search-and-rescue platform, which the Irish start-up aims will make a vital difference to first responders during SAR operations. THE THIRD SERIES OF STORIES BEHIND THE SIRENS (ISSUE 60)
Returning to our screens this year for a third series, TV3’s ‘Paramedics’ yet again went behind the scenes with the HSE National Ambulance Service, to give viewers a keen insight into the hectic routine of Ireland’s frontline emergency medical service. THE PESKY ISSUE OF PESCO FOR IRELAND! (ISSUE 60)
Ireland’s participation in PESCO – the EU body that aims to boost military co-operation – is voluntary, the decision-making remains in the hands of participating member states and there is no mutual defence clause. However, it remains a pesky issue. MORE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT FOR FIRST RESPONDERS (ISSUE 60)
Mark Callanan, Community Engagement Officer for the Western Division of the National Ambulance Service, urged community first responders at 'RESPOND 2018' Conference to keep in touch with community engagement officers throughout the country. DUBLIN FIRE BRIGADE SETS TO IMPROVE RESPONSE RATES (ISSUE 60)
The unique dual role played by Dublin firefighters in emergency response was outlined at ‘RESPOND 2018’ by Martin O’Reilly, Dublin Fire Brigade's EMS Support Officer. He said that harnessing technology to improve response rates is now a major issue. CREATING A COMMUNITY OF LIFESAVERS IN NORTHERN IRELAND (ISSUE 60)
Stephanie Leckey, Community Resuscitation Lead with the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, told delegates at 'RESPOND 2018' that the aim and vision of her team was to create a community of lifesavers by strengthening the chain of survival. LAYING THE FOUNDATIONS FOR RESEARCH ON SELF-RESCUE (ISSUE 60)
In a bid to reduce the numbers of deaths caused by drowning, the Lifesaving Foundation and Waterford Institute of Technology has set up a new research partnership with the Gardaí to investigate the concept of self-rescue in life-threatening situations. MAYNOOTH’S NEW MA IN COMPARATIVE CRIMINOLOGY (ISSUE 60)
The new MA in Comparative Criminology and Criminal Justice in Maynooth University’s Department of Law provides students with the opportunity to develop a specialist knowledge of debates around crime causation and control.
NORTHERN IRELAND SINGS FROM SAME ‘HEMS’ SHEET (ISSUE 60)
Northern Ireland’s first Helicopter Emergency Medical Service, which has carried out well over 140 missions since its launch in July 2017, now needs the all-round support in Ulster to ensure that it continues to save lives on a daily basis. INTERNATIONAL PROFILE OF IRISH PRISON GANGS IS GROWING (ISSUE 60)
The proliferation and power of gangs on the inside, in addition to the need to address the pending cycle of overcrowding by ensuring full capacity in the open centres and to reopen the Training Unit in Mountjoy, were high on the agenda at this year’s Prison Officers’ Association conference. GALWAY GOES MOBILE WITH ELECTRONIC IMS SYSTEM (ISSUE 60)
The introduction of an electronic Information Management System (e-IMS) within the last year has vastly improved the strategic management of critical events and monthly training programmes for major emergencies in Galway.
LEARNING LESSONS FROM NOTTINGHAM ON EARLY INTERVENTION (ISSUE 60)
Could Ireland develop a model of prevention and early intervention to steer disadvantaged young people on the right path, similar to the approach taken by Nottingham in the UK. A network of evidence-based practice, advocacy and research organisations recently held a conference in Dublin to address the issue. IRELAND’S DEFENCE FORCES IN THE FIRING LINE (ISSUE 59)
Alongside declining recruitment is the rising tide of those leaving the Defence Forces and PDFORRA says that 2,840 personnel departed the Defence Forces in the past five years, equivalent to over 30 per cent of the total enlisted personnel. EMERGENCY AEROMEDICAL SERVICE CONTINUES VITAL MISSION (ISSUE 59)
Responding to critically ill patients across Ireland, the Emergency Aeromedical Service has completed almost 3,000 missions since taking off as a pilot project in 2012. The Air Corps hosted a family day in Casement Aerodrome in Baldonnel to meet patients who have benefitted from the service. DEFENCE FORCES IN CRISIS, SAYS SECURITY EXPERT (ISSUE 59)
Recent research by University of Limerick has raised concerns over leadership, performance and career management within the Defence Forces. Michael Murphy, security intelligence consultant, says the results can be read as a damning indictment of neglect by the Government and poor internal military leadership.
WEATHER APP PUTS AUTHORITIES ON HIGH ALERT (ISSUE 59)
An extreme weather alert service for local authorities – MapAlerter – generated 500,000 emergency alerts in the space of just 72 hours, potentially saving countless lives as Hurricane Ophelia ripped through the country in mid-October. GARDA MEMORIAL REMEMBERS FALLEN HEROES (ISSUE 59)
A special monument to honour two Gardaí (murdered 37 years ago by armed bank robbers near Ballaghadereen, Co. Roscommon) was unveiled in July. Retired D/Sgt Michael Carty reflects on the bravery and admirable courage shown by Detective Garda John Morley and Garda Henry Byrne on that tragic July day in 1980. TOP TEN FINISH FOR MEATH AND CARLOW FIRE CREWS (ISSUE 59)
Fire and rescue teams from Meath and Carlow finished in the Top Ten at this year’s World Rescue Challenge in Romania, having competed against 70 teams of firefighters and rescue personnel worldwide in this gruelling international challenge event. BREATHING LIFE BACK INTO THE RURAL COMMUNITY (ISSUE 59)
A €5,000 charitable donation will allow Newport’s Community First Responders to purchase their first two automated external defibrillators and heated cabinets, thereby enabling the crew to save dozens more lives in the rural community in Tipperary. NORTHERN IRELAND GETS DOWN TO MULTI-AGENCY TRAINING (ISSUE 59)
A multi-agency training exercise in County Down, which involved RNLI volunteers and lifeguards, the Police Service Northern Ireland, the Ministry of Defence and the Coastguard, is the first of many events planned for the coming year. RECOGNITION FOR 50 YEARS OF LIFESAVING SERVICE (ISSUE 59)
The Lifesaving Foundation has presented its chair Brendan Donohoe with the Ireland Medal to recognise his 50 years of service as a volunteer lifeguard, a lifesaving teacher, a lifeguard trainer and assessor, a drowning prevention researcher and a national and international administrator. TRIBUTES TO R116 CREW AND COAST GUARD VOLUNTEER (ISSUE 58)
A four-day cycle to the rescue bases in Dublin, Sligo, Shannon and Waterford is ear-marked for Friday 8 September, to pay tribute to the crew of R116 and Irish Coast Guard volunteer Caitríona Lucas, who died in a search operation off Co. Clare in September 2016. NAVAL SERVICE HONOURED FOR MED MISSIONS (ISSUE 58)
The Irish Naval Service has been awarded the Honorary Freedom of Entry to Dún Laoghaire, and also received the Ireland Medal for 2016 in recognition for its ongoing humanitarian rescue missions in the Mediterranean.
CLARE TAKE OFF FOR AUTOMATED BEACH PATROLS! (ISSUE 58)
An Irish software start-up has teamed up with Clare County Council to boost life-guarding operations by trialling the use of drone technology, which will be deployed as automated beach patrols for the first time ever in Ireland. MEATH FIRE CREW GEARS UP FOR CHARITY CYCLE (ISSUE 58)
Eight firefighters from Meath are putting final preparations in place to take part in the ultra-marathon ‘Race Around Ireland’ cycling event in August, in a bid to raise funds for suicide and bereavement counselling service SOSAD (Save Our Sons and Daughters). LIMERICK SUICIDE WATCH GETS NEW TWO-WAY RADIOS (ISSUE 58)
The recent donation of radio communications equipment to Limerick Suicide Watch will play a critical role in assisting the voluntary suicide prevention group to save lives, as it patrols the five bridges of Limerick city and along the banks of the Shannon waterway. OPERATION TRACE TRACKS DOWN COLD KILLER (ISSUE 58)
Retired Garda Trevor Laffan from Cork City was one of 98 new Garda recruits tasked with searching for Phyllis Murphy, who went missing from Kildare in late December 1979. He reflects on the case, which was resolved nearly 23 years later thanks to Operation Trace, when her killer was given a mandatory life sentence. RNLI TEAMS UP WITH GAA FOR LATEST CAMPAIGN (ISSUE 58)
The RNLI has teamed up with the GAA for its latest ‘Respect the Water’ campaign, which is being supported through the GAA's 'healthy clubs' programme. The RNLI campaign is urging people to fight those instincts and not the water, and to remember that floating could save lives from drowning.
ROUND OF A PAWS FOR AUTISM ASSISTANCE DOGS! (ISSUE 58)
National charity Autism Assistance Dogs Ireland (AADI) has welcomed eight new Golden Retriever/Labrador cross puppies, as part of the first breeding programme to tackle the five-year waiting list for children with autism who need a highly-trained assistance dog. FLEET SOLUTIONS AT UK EMERGENCY SERVICES SHOW (ISSUE 58)
Vehicles and equipment for the emergency services and allied organisations will again be on display at The Emergency Services Show at Birmingham's NEC on 20 and 21 September. AIR AMBULANCE LIFT-OFF IN MUNSTER (ISSUE 57)
A new community air ambulance service for the Munster region is due for lift-off later this year from its base at Cork Airport. John Kearney, co-founder of Irish Community Air Ambulance, says there’s a “lifetime” of fundraising work ahead, but he’s confident the public will support this lifesaving initiative. APPROPRIATE DEVICES TO KEEP TRACK OF DEFIBS (ISSUE 57)
An interactive smartphone app now allows the public to take ‘selfies’ alongside automated external defibrillators (AEDs), while a national network has been set up by a group of community first responders, to keep track of the number of these lifesaving devices in operation throughout communities in Ireland. RANDOM DRUG TESTS TO HIT THE ROAD IN APRIL (ISSUE 57)
New legislation under the Road Traffic Act 2016, which is due to come into force in April, will give the Gardaí the authority to subject motorists to random drug testing checks using a portable device for cannabis, cocaine and heroin. ‘S-HELP’ IS NOW AT HAND IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS (ISSUE 57)
Following the conclusion of a three-year EU-funded research project to develop new systems to standardise cross-border emergency planning, preparedness, response and recovery procedures, discussions are now taking place with agencies in Ireland, Germany and Israel to test the findings of the S-HELP project. YOUNG SCIENTISTS STEP UP TO COAST GUARD CHALLENGE (ISSUE 57)
The Irish Coast Guard rolled out a number of emergency challenges in a bid to highlight water safety and increase awareness of their operations to over 60,000 students who turned up at this year’s BT Young Scientist Exhibition at the RDS in Dublin in January. DEFENCE FORCES ARMED WITH NEW E-HEALTH SOLUTION (ISSUE 57)
The Defence Forces has devised a new healthcare system to electronically track and protect the health and wellbeing of all Irish soldiers, sailors and aircrew at home, at sea and on overseas operations. UK CONSULTATION ON THE SAFE USE OF DRONES (ISSUE 57)
The UK Government plans to introduce new measures on the safe use of drones and strong safeguards to protect the public, which will also consider the need for a new criminal offence for misuse of drones, following a consultation process late last year. DRONES PLAY KEY ROLE IN IRELAND’S SEARCH & RESCUE (ISSUE 57)
Civil Defence Ireland's recent demonstration to emergency services in West Cork on the use of Small Unmanned Aircraft (SUAs) during missing person searches highlighted the invaluable support that drones can offer to the Gardaí and the Coastguard during such operations. 750 DEFIBRILLATORS NEED ‘URGENT SAFETY UPDATES’
The Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) claims that up to 750 automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in Ireland require urgent safety and maintenance updates, such as software upgrades or the replacement of an AED component. KILDARE CHRISTMAS CAMPAIGN HITS THE ROAD
Kildare County Council and the Gardaí have joined forces to focus on social responsibility, designated drivers and pedestrian safety across Kildare as part of the county's Christmas Road Safety Campaign. HSE IMMUNISATION CAMPAIGN CLAMPS DOWN ON FLU
The HSE’s winter immunisation campaign is alerting healthcare workers, including emergency services personnel that they can prevent the spread of influenza (flu) and save lives every year by getting the flu vaccine themselves. NETWORKING ON EMS PEER SUPPORT MODEL FOR IRELAND
With a peer support network now successfully in operation in Chicago to help firefighters and other frontline emergency services personnel to deal with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and other behavioural health issues, would a similar model work here in Ireland?
RESCUE APPRECIATION AWARDS FOR IRISH NAVAL SERVICE
Having saved thousands of migrants during the humanitarian missions in the Mediterranean, Irish Naval Service personnel were presented with Rescue Appreciation Awards at Irish Water Safety's 2016 National Annual Awards Ceremony.
VSO IRELAND SEEKS MORE HEALTHCARE VOLUNTEERS
Voluntary Services Overseas (VSO) Ireland, which works in 24 countries across Africa, Asia and the Pacific, is looking for more Irish health professionals to play a vital role in helping the organisation to develop health systems in some of the world’s poorest communities. SIX-YEAR PLAN FOR POLICING IN CORK
The Cork City Joint Policing Committee has launched its first six-year strategy in a bid to enhance relationships between Cork City Council, An Garda Síochána and the local communities. NEW FIRE STATION OPENS IN SOUTH CONNEMARA
Galway Fire and Rescue Service’s second Irish-speaking brigade – An Cheathrú Rua Fire Brigade – which covers South Connemara, is the first new station in over 15 years, and joins Inis Mór Fire Brigade on the Aran Islands. CO-ORDINATED STRATEGIES NEEDED TO STRIKE OUT YOUTH FIRESETTING
Youth firesetting should be addressed as a mental health and/or societal issue rather than as a criminal justice-involved matter in the United States, according to a number of counsellors and psychologists, who claim that co-ordinated intervention strategies are urgently needed. UK LANDOWNERS ARE PREPARED FOR WILDFIRE RISKS
Northumberland's farmers and landowners are now better equipped to deal with wildfire incidents, following a recent information session organised by Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service, on behalf of Northumberland Fire Group.
RESEARCH IS KEY TO REFORM WITHIN IRISH PRISON SERVICE
A lack of in-depth sociological research into Ireland’s prison population is restricting the potential for positive reform in the criminal justice system, according to John Lonergan, former Governor of Mountjoy Prison.
AMBULANCE SERVICE CAPACITY REVIEW IS CAUSE FOR CONCERN
Unrealistic response targets and a lack of necessary resources, staff and updated work practices are just some of the areas of concern highlighted in a major review of the HSE National Ambulance Service. IRISH AIR CORPS ON FIRST TRAINING MISSION TO MALTA
The Irish Air Corps’ first international deployment earlier this year provided aviation training to the Maltese military aviation unit. Here team leader Lt Col David Corcoran outlines how each member brought individual skillsets to the mission, including hoist operations, fast roping, search and rescue, and external load operations. BIM AWARENESS CAMPAIGN NETS MARINE SAFETY AWARD
BIM netted the Excellence in Marine Safety Award for its ‘Live to Tell the Tale’ advertising and PR campaign at this year’s Marine Industry Awards. The campaign reeled in an increase of over 23% of fishermen to BIM’s Enhanced Safety Training in late January/February 2016, compared to the same period in 2015.
SEARCH IS NOW ON FOR IRELAND’S HIDDEN HEROES
With nominations now open until 5 August, family members, friends and co-workers across Ireland still have time to nominate their Hidden Heroes for 2016, which will be announced at a national awards ceremony in Dublin on 5 September. RNLI’S NATIONAL DROWNING PREVENTION CAMPAIGN HITS THE WATER
The RNLI’s annual national drowning prevention campaign – Respect the Water – which runs throughout the summer months, aims to highlight the risk of accidental drowning when people are near the coastline. DRONE ZONE TO TAKE OFF AT EMERGENCY SERVICES SHOW
UK emergency services will collaborate to help people live safely in their homes in a new show – Home Safety 2016 – which runs alongside The Emergency Services Show on 21-22 September in Birmingham, while a new Drone Zone will also feature at the NEC. OLYMPIC EFFORT NEEDED TO BEAT ZIKA VIRUS AT THE GAMES
The Zika virus, which is currently spreading throughout much of South and Central America, can have “catastrophic” effects on unborn babies according to Dr Paul McKeown, Public Health Specialist in the HSE’s Health Protection Surveillance Centre. As a result, pregnant women are being strongly advised not to travel to Rio this summer for the Olympic Games. AED REGISTRATION – TIME FOR A NATIONAL CHECK-UP!
The National Community First Responder Network - CFR Ireland - aims to set up a nationwide register for Automated External Defibs (AEDs), and is calling on all voluntary and CFR groups to help in locating all such defibrillators. CONFERENCE TO REVIEW COMPLEX CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS
Fatal house and apartment fires could happen at any time in any part of the country due to poor construction standards and hardly any enforcement of building regulations, according to a leading fire expert who is organising an international sustainable fire engineering conference in Dublin in September. IRISH NAVY CONTINUES HUMANITARIAN MISSIONS IN THE MED
LÉ Róisín has become the latest Irish naval vessel to assist the Italian authorities in the search and rescue activities in the Mediterranean. To date over 8,590 migrants have been successfully rescued during the course of the Irish navy’s first three humanitarian missions, involving the LÉ Eithne, LÉ Niamh and LÉ Samuel Beckett. BRUSSELS BOMBING – AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN
In light of the Brussels suicide bombings at the airport and on the city’s metro system in March, a former Irish army general told a recent cross-border emergency management conference that the attacks on the airport, in particular, were “an accident waiting to happen” BAD WEEK FOR POLICEMEN IN IRELAND
Easter Week 1916 was a disastrous period for policemen in Ireland, according to Donal O’Sullivan. In this year’s commemoration ceremonies, the retired chief superintendent from Kerry says that very few tributes are likely to be paid to the members of the Dublin Metropolitan Police and the Royal Irish Constabulary who lost their lives during that week. REBEL COMMISSIONER – MICHAEL STAINES
Ireland’s first Garda Commissioner, Michael Staines, played a key role in the Irish Volunteers from their foundation until the 1916 Easter Rising, during which time he was the Quartermaster-General in the GPO that fateful week. He was detained in Frongach Camp in Wales in the aftermath of the Rising. EU VIRTUAL WILDFIRE TRAINING FOR INCIDENT COMMANDERS
Fire and rescue services across Europe have started work on a two-year project to develop simulation training for incident commanders to improve their command and co-ordination of wildfire incidents. M-VAC SYSTEM IMPROVES DNA RECOVERY AT THE CRIME SCENE
A new tool from the USA now enables the improved recovery of DNA from difficult surfaces and materials in both quality and quantity. The M-VAC System is now being deployed by a number of police services in the States to aid in crime scene investigations. IRELAND CELEBRATES 60 YEARS OF UN SERVICE
The contribution made by Gardaí and Defence Forces personnel to the United Nations since Ireland first became a member in 1955 is on display at the ‘UN60’ exhibition at the National Museum of Ireland - part of a series of events to mark the 60th anniversary of Ireland’s UN membership.
WHERE THERE’S A WILL THERE’S A WAY!
From the frontlines, Will Holden has seen first-hand the human impact of war. Having spent 20 years working in logistics for private sector companies, the Dubliner has now turned his attention to applying his skills in a humanitarian setting in some of the world’s most war-torn regions.
COASTAL PATROLS PLAY QUAY ROLE IN SUICIDE PREVENTION
Wexford MarineWatch continues to maintain its record of ZERO deaths by suicide in Wexford Harbour since the voluntary group was established in 2012. DOORS OPEN TO NEW MEDICAL ACADEMY IN MAYO
The Mayo Medical Academy, an NUI Galway partnership with Saolta University Health Care Group and Mayo University Hospital, has opened its doors to integrate medical education with clinical training for medical doctors. CORK WOMAN CAMPAIGNS TO ‘ASIST’ EMS PERSONNEL
On 6 July 2012 Elber Twomey lost her family when a suicidal driver crashed into her car while holidaying in England. Now three years later the Cork woman is campaigning for suicide awareness training for firefighters and ambulance personnel. 40 YEARS AT FRONTLINE OF CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS
Forensic Science Ireland has played a pivotal role in the support of Irish justice over the past four decades. It is now widely anticipated that a new State forensic laboratory will be built on a site near Celbridge, Co. Kildare.
POLICING IRELAND FROM THE AIR
The Garda Air Support Unit (GASU) is as good as any in the world and is on a par with the best of them in respect of personnel, training, aircraft and equipment, and maintains an ever-closer working relationship with police forces worldwide.
PLANNING IS KEY TO PREVENTING A CYBER BREACH
A cyber-breach is a major crisis situation for any business or organisation. While the threat cannot be eliminated it’s important to put proper plans in place to respond to the breach, a panel of US cyber-security experts warned business leaders during a recent seminar in Dublin.
SAFETRX APP AIDS SEARCH AND RECOVERY OPERATION
The latest version of the vessel tracking application – SafeTrx – recently involved in the co-ordination of events offshore during Ireland’s largest underwater search and recovery operation in Cork, will be rolled out later this summer to improve safety at sea for boat users.
LIMERICK ROLLS OUT NEW FIRESWIFT RIVER RESCUE BOAT
The fastest emergency response on the River Shannon can now be launched within three minutes of an emergency call out, thanks to a new custom-made power boat. FIRESWIFT will be used by Limerick Fire and Rescue Service.