Members of Clare Civil Defence have participated in a large scale drill focusing on further improving responses to major emergencies, search and recovery, environmental issues, stewarding, flooding problems and forest fires.
The annual exercise was held at the Civil Defence Headquarters in Ennis and also featured competitions for the 70 participating Civil Defence members who were divided into teams. Among the skills put to the test were First-Aid, Rope/Heights Rescue, Auxiliary Fire Service, Radio Communications, Boat Handling, Land and Water Search, and Radiation Monitoring.
During the course of the day, members responded to a simulated road traffic collision between a car and a motor bike during which their fire fighting and first aid skills were tested. A separate exercise saw Civil Defence personnel plan out a water search and rescue operation.
The Pump Drill competition was won by a team comprising Greg Dormer (leader) Michelle Dixon, Jeffrey Loughnane, Sean McNamara and Brian Kearney. The All Services exercise was won by Michelle Power (leader), Liz Purcell, Patrick McMahon, Ruth Kennedy, Nicole Gleeson, Debbie Houlihan, Vanessa O’Loughlin, Gemma Cooper, Damian Walsh and Niall Guinnane.
The drill was followed by the annual Clare Civil Defence Presentation Dinner which was attended by Joe Arkins, Mayor of Clare; Chief Supt John Kerin, Clare Garda Division; Adrian Kelly, Chief Fire Officer; Kevin Houston, Technical Officer, Department of Defence, various Clare County Council officials, and Civil Defence members.
Speaking at the event, Mayor Arkins paid tribute to Civil Defence members who he said “give freely of their time and expertise to provide an invaluable and important public service.”
He added: “Your participation in this exercise enhances your collective ability to respond more efficiently to incidents when they occur. Constant upskilling and training are key to most lines of work, but it is especially important in the case of Civil Defence personnel, and all emergency services and response teams.”
Clare Civil Defence Officer, Liam Griffin explained that Clare Civil Defence also trains for and participates in National Exercises.
“These Exercises provide opportunities for large scale exercising of the members, helps to broaden their skills and provides a forum to inject external influence and expertise into the organisation and provide objective assessment of performance. We are proud of our long track record of service in County Clare and are keen to continue to broaden our skills base and enhance our ability to respond more efficiently to incidents,” he commented.
The annual exercise was held at the Civil Defence Headquarters in Ennis and also featured competitions for the 70 participating Civil Defence members who were divided into teams. Among the skills put to the test were First-Aid, Rope/Heights Rescue, Auxiliary Fire Service, Radio Communications, Boat Handling, Land and Water Search, and Radiation Monitoring.
During the course of the day, members responded to a simulated road traffic collision between a car and a motor bike during which their fire fighting and first aid skills were tested. A separate exercise saw Civil Defence personnel plan out a water search and rescue operation.
The Pump Drill competition was won by a team comprising Greg Dormer (leader) Michelle Dixon, Jeffrey Loughnane, Sean McNamara and Brian Kearney. The All Services exercise was won by Michelle Power (leader), Liz Purcell, Patrick McMahon, Ruth Kennedy, Nicole Gleeson, Debbie Houlihan, Vanessa O’Loughlin, Gemma Cooper, Damian Walsh and Niall Guinnane.
The drill was followed by the annual Clare Civil Defence Presentation Dinner which was attended by Joe Arkins, Mayor of Clare; Chief Supt John Kerin, Clare Garda Division; Adrian Kelly, Chief Fire Officer; Kevin Houston, Technical Officer, Department of Defence, various Clare County Council officials, and Civil Defence members.
Speaking at the event, Mayor Arkins paid tribute to Civil Defence members who he said “give freely of their time and expertise to provide an invaluable and important public service.”
He added: “Your participation in this exercise enhances your collective ability to respond more efficiently to incidents when they occur. Constant upskilling and training are key to most lines of work, but it is especially important in the case of Civil Defence personnel, and all emergency services and response teams.”
Clare Civil Defence Officer, Liam Griffin explained that Clare Civil Defence also trains for and participates in National Exercises.
“These Exercises provide opportunities for large scale exercising of the members, helps to broaden their skills and provides a forum to inject external influence and expertise into the organisation and provide objective assessment of performance. We are proud of our long track record of service in County Clare and are keen to continue to broaden our skills base and enhance our ability to respond more efficiently to incidents,” he commented.
