A drill exercise aimed at improving the response of Limerick’s emergency services to road traffic incidents took place at Aughinish, near Askeaton, this week.
The interservice initiative featured Fire Fighters, Doctors and Paramedics from Limerick County Fire & Rescue Service, The National Ambulance Service and The Mid-West GP Training Scheme. The exercise also saw the involvement of the new HSE Air Ambulance Service. The Athlone-based air ambulance, which is operated by the Irish Aer Corps, has a crew of two pilots and one HSE Advanced Paramedic.
“The primary aim of this collaborative exercise was to enhance interservice co-operation between responders at road traffic accidents,” explained Ken Crowley, Senior Assistant Chief Fire Officer.
Mr. Crowley explained: “The simulated emergency helped to challenge and further enhance the reaction of the emergency services to road traffic incidents. A collaborative working relationship among the emergency services is critical to ensuring that all emergency situations are dealt with in an appropriate and efficient manner.”
Meanwhile, Limerick County Fire and Rescue Service has reported a significant decrease in the number of road traffic incidents recorded in Limerick. The number of road traffic incidents in County Limerick dropped by 36% between 2007 and 2011.
The number of traffic collisions attended by the Fire Service has dropped during each of the last five years: 2007 (223), 2008 (216), 2009 (187), 2010 (177), 2011 (143).
Mr. Crowley noted that a considerable amount of work is being carried by the Emergency Services to further enhance fire and road safety awareness, and that the effectiveness of the schemes were reflected in the relevant figures for the five-year period.
He continued: “Whilst the emergency services are continuing to focus on further improving their response to emergency incidents, these figures are extremely encouraging and point to increased road safety awareness amongst members of the public.”
“Through road safety awareness initiatives such as the Lifesaver Project for Limerick’s secondary schools, we are helping to educate younger drivers about the importance of road safety. These initiatives are complemented by ongoing work at national level to highlight and promote road safety,” Mr. Crowley concluded.
The interservice initiative featured Fire Fighters, Doctors and Paramedics from Limerick County Fire & Rescue Service, The National Ambulance Service and The Mid-West GP Training Scheme. The exercise also saw the involvement of the new HSE Air Ambulance Service. The Athlone-based air ambulance, which is operated by the Irish Aer Corps, has a crew of two pilots and one HSE Advanced Paramedic.
“The primary aim of this collaborative exercise was to enhance interservice co-operation between responders at road traffic accidents,” explained Ken Crowley, Senior Assistant Chief Fire Officer.
Mr. Crowley explained: “The simulated emergency helped to challenge and further enhance the reaction of the emergency services to road traffic incidents. A collaborative working relationship among the emergency services is critical to ensuring that all emergency situations are dealt with in an appropriate and efficient manner.”
Meanwhile, Limerick County Fire and Rescue Service has reported a significant decrease in the number of road traffic incidents recorded in Limerick. The number of road traffic incidents in County Limerick dropped by 36% between 2007 and 2011.
The number of traffic collisions attended by the Fire Service has dropped during each of the last five years: 2007 (223), 2008 (216), 2009 (187), 2010 (177), 2011 (143).
Mr. Crowley noted that a considerable amount of work is being carried by the Emergency Services to further enhance fire and road safety awareness, and that the effectiveness of the schemes were reflected in the relevant figures for the five-year period.
He continued: “Whilst the emergency services are continuing to focus on further improving their response to emergency incidents, these figures are extremely encouraging and point to increased road safety awareness amongst members of the public.”
“Through road safety awareness initiatives such as the Lifesaver Project for Limerick’s secondary schools, we are helping to educate younger drivers about the importance of road safety. These initiatives are complemented by ongoing work at national level to highlight and promote road safety,” Mr. Crowley concluded.
