Irish Red Cross announces emergency response meeting in light of extreme weather conditions

To date, the Irish Red Cross has published a list of up-to-date and practical tips on its website to help people cope with accidents and illnesses brought on by the freezing conditions which have hit the country, and as hospitals and emergency services report a major increase in calls for help. National Vice Chairman of the Irish Red Cross, Tony Lawlor explains, “It is vital that members of the public give this weather the respect that it deserves and take every precaution so as to avoid injury. Keep your mobile with you at all times and if you do suffer from a minor injury just visit our website for some helpful First Aid tips & Safety Advice ."

Special 4x4 Red Cross ambulances and other vehicles are also on stand-by in Counties Carlow, Cork, Kilkenny, Laois, Meath, Offaly, Tipperary, Waterford and Wexford to assist the HSE as needed, with a Red Cross ambulance in Waterford already on loan to the HSE. Members of the Irish Red Cross, who are all volunteers and highly skilled in First Aid, are also continuing their work in Dublin Fingal, Dublin Borough, South County Dublin, Kildare and nationwide in an effort to help people and communities cope with the hazardous conditions.

In Wicklow, specialised Irish Red Cross Search & Rescue Teams for mountain and lake regions have also been busy, with the Glen of Imaal Red Cross Mountain Rescue Team on call to help motorists who may become stranded in their cars.

The emergency response meeting being held today will look into how the Irish Red Cross can assist, in its capacity as an auxiliary to the government and the HSE.

During the recent flooding, the Society was heavily involved in transporting emergency medical staff to and from their places of work, particularly in the South of the country, so that critical services such as intensive care and other units could continue running, a service which the Irish Red Cross could also provide in light of the hazardous weather conditions.

Evacuation and meals and wheels services, which have been provided by the Irish Red Cross on numerous occasions in the past, will also be considered in response to the many vulnerable elderly and disabled people who have become stranded in their homes since the cold spell began.

Notes to Editor

• Interviews with Irish Red Cross spokespersons can be arranged.
• The Irish Red Cross has recently assisted victims of floods throughout the country and with the support of public donations aims to distribute €1 million to victims of the floods.
• The Irish Red Cross has focussed on building-up a stock of vehicles that are capable of helping people in challenging weather conditions, having invested €3.5 million in both off-road ambulances and other vehicles in the last decade.
• There are approximately 6,000 members of the Irish Red Cross who are all volunteers serving in local communities in every county in Ireland.
• The Irish Red Cross works in its capacity as an auxiliary to the State’s emergency services and its role is recognised both in legislation governing the Irish Red Cross and in the State’s Major Emergency Planning Framework.
• The Irish Red Cross is a leading provider of Safety and First Aid training, for more information on courses in your area for personal or business use, contact 1890 502 502 or log onto www.redcrosstraining.ie