New Ambulances to boost Red Cross First Aid services in Ireland

The fourteen new ambulances are the third tranche of new ambulances to be supplied to the Irish Red Cross in two years. They form part of a major ambulance fleet upgrade programme which will see a further 25 new ambulances being acquired over the next five years.

The Minister for Health and Children, Micheál Martin TD, will launch the new ambulances at a special ceremony on Saturday next, 10 January 2004 in the Rochestown Park Hotel, Douglas, Cork City.

The new ambulances represent part of a €1.9 million investment by the Irish Red Cross involving deployment to date of almost 30 new vehicles nationwide at a time when demand on services is increasing. These ambulances will replace existing, older vehicles in the Irish Red Cross fleet, many of which were bought second-hand in the UK over a decade ago. They include several off-road and specialist mountain rescue vehicles and will mean that the Irish Red Cross will have a total fleet of over 80 ambulances.

Red Cross Vice-Chairman, Tony Lawlor said the ambulances would be used to support the lead role to be played by the Irish Red Cross in the provision of voluntary ambulance and First Aid services at sporting and community events throughout the country.

"These new ambulances will bring new strength and reliability to the service provided by the Irish Red Cross. This is vital for local communities; particularly in rural Ireland, where we can act in a First Responder capacity in support of the Health Boards.

"I'd like to thank the people living in the Areas concerned for their support in helping to pay for their ambulance and ask anyone who can to support the Red Cross in their Area so that they can continue to provide these vitally-needed services."

The new ambulances will be deployed in the following Areas:

Cork (5 ambulances to Mallow, Bandon, Fermoy, Kanturk and Clonakilty). Dublin Borough (City); Limerick (Newcastlewest); Louth (2 ambulances to Dundalk and Carlingford);Meath (2 ambulances to Trim and Navan); Co. Tipperary (Cashel); and Wicklow (2 ambulances to Glen of Imaal Red Cross Mountain Rescue Team, Laragh and Baltinglass).

You are invited to send a representative to the Launch of the new Irish Red Cross Ambulances:
Date: Saturday 10 January 2004.
Time: 10am.
Venue: Rochestown Park Hotel, Douglas, Cork City.
In Attendance: Micheál Martin, TD. Minister for Health and Children.

Ends