Irish Red Cross responds to floods around the country

Ted Noonan, Regional Director of Units for the Irish Red Cross Southern region, reports that at the moment the situation is quiet, with all ambulances, except 4x4 vehicles, stood down.

In the west, Pat Merrick, Regional Director of Units for the Western region of the Irish Red Cross reports that some 30 members of the Irish Red Cross from six ambulance units across counties Galway, Mayo and Roscommon all remain on stand-by.

"We remain on stand-by to the HSE and our members who are all volunteers could be called out at any time," said Pat.

Two of the units have 4x4 vehicles, one based in Ardrahan which can be deployed in Ballinasloe if required, and a second in the Corrib-Mask lakes district. "There are storm conditions at the moment, but rainfall levels are smaller so there is some reason to be optimistic that we may be over the worst of it," reported Pat.

In Clonmel, some 14 members of the local branch of the Irish Red Cross and three vehicles, including one 4x4, one minibus and one ambulance were on stand-by to assist in flood relief operations there over the weekend. On stand-by was the local unit of the Irish Red Cross in Clonmel in addition to Red Cross units from Tipperary and from Waterford, according to the National Vice-Chairman, Tony Lawlor.

"We also have a stockpile of blankets if required," added Tony. He pointed out that in Carlow and Kilkenny, members of the Irish Red Cross are also available to assist if needed.

Help to flood-damaged communities is provided by members of the Irish Red Cross who are all volunteers. The role of the Irish Red Cross is set out in the state's plan for emergencies, the Major Emergency Framework document.

Notes to Editor

- Interviews with Irish Red Cross spokespersons can be arranged.
- The Irish Red Cross has assisted victims of floods in Ireland on several occasions in the past, most recently when floods struck Nenagh earlier this year and assistance was needed to evacuate nursing homes.
- The Irish Red Cross has focussed on building-up a stock of vehicles that are capable of helping people in floods and other off-road situations, having invested €3.5 million in both off-road ambulances and other vehicles in the last decade.
- There are approximately 6000 members of the Irish Red Cross who are all volunteers serving in local communities in every county in Ireland.

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