New ambulances boost Red Cross life-saving capacities

The new ambulances bring the level of investment by Irish Red Cross members in its First Aid services here in Ireland to close to Euro 3 million, representing a landmark investment by a voluntary organisation in upgrading its services to the public. An additional half a million Euro from the Dept of Health helped fund this programme.

With the provision of these new ambulances, the Irish Red Cross has now replaced over half of its entire fleet of 75 ambulances over the course of the last three years. This programme has also seen the introduction of new off-road ambulances for the first time as well as the standard vehicle.

And the Irish Red Cross has also pressed ahead with new life-saving cardiac equipment through the provision of Automated External Defibrillators on every ambulance.

Red Cross Vice-Chairman, Tony Lawlor, praised the members of the Red Cross for their entirely voluntary service to the community and to their hard work in fund-raising locally to invest in their new vehicles and equipment.

"Research has shown that First Aid is critical to saving lives. Im very proud that we in the Irish Red Cross have not only the skills and the dedication of our volunteers to provide First Aid, but also the commitment to raise the funds necessary to support this vital service in the community," said the Vice-Chairman of the Irish Red Cross, Tony Lawlor.

Mr Lawlor went on to thank the previous Minister for Health and Children, Micheál Martin for supporting the organisation through grant-aid and to assure the new minister, Mary Harney that the Red Cross looked forward to continuing their close working relationship with the Department of Health and Children.

The ten new ambulances were launched by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade & Employment, Micheál Martin at a special ceremony in Cork. All ten ambulances are 2004 Ford Transits they will go into service in:
Cork - Clonakilty, Kanturk, Bantry.
Galway - Portumna.
Wexford - Enniscorthy.
Waterford - Waterford City.
Limerick - Newcastle West.
Kilkenny - Kilkenny City.
Tipperary - Tipperary town.
Clare - Kilrush.

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