Minister O'Dea launches new Red Cross ambulances

These state of the art vehicles will boost casualty and emergency services as well as contribute as a support to the reserve resources for the HSE under the State's Major Emergency Management Framework.

The new vehicles were officially handed over to Branches in Doon, Limerick City, West Limerick, Dublin Borough, Tralee and Galway City at a special event at the University of Limerick (Saturday 23rd January 2010).

You can view photographs from the launch here

Speaking at the presentation, Minister O'Dea praised the Red Cross volunteers for their work in helping those affected by floods and snow throughout Ireland over the past two months.

"Hundreds of Irish Red Cross volunteers in Branches all over the country provided essential assistance to householders and individuals affected by the floods and the snow in partnership with other agencies. All this great work was delivered on a voluntary basis and I thank all of those involved on behalf of the people who benefited from this assistance," he said.

"I would also like to recognise the tremendous support the people of Ireland have given to helping those in need. Over €1 million was donated by individuals and groups throughout Ireland and this is currently being used to fund the Red Cross flood relief campaign. And I understand that this amount has just been matched in donations for the Haiti appeal," he said

Mr. Tony Lawlor, Acting Chairman of the Irish Red Cross, said that the Red Cross vehicles would be used at hundreds of events nationally as well as community, voluntary and sporting events.

"Many of these events could not go ahead without the support of the Irish Red Cross and its fleet. Furthermore, these vehicles support the Irish Red Cross' auxiliary role in the Major Emergency Management Framework," he explained.

Irish Red Cross casualty care crews are trained to levels specified by the PreHospital Emergency Care Council. During 2009, the Irish Red Cross was accredited to deliver training to the level of Emergency Medical Technician by the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council. Many members are undergoing training now as EMTs.

This level of qualification for volunteers will further enhance the level of service the Irish Red Cross can offer both to the public and to the statutory agencies.

Mr. Lawlor said that the Irish Red Cross had a specific legislative role as an auxiliary to the Medical Services of the Defence Forces in time of war or emergency.

"Our vehicles and their trained crews are also a useful auxiliary ambulance resource to the State ambulance service of the HSE under the Major Emergency Management Framework. This framework comes into effect in the event of a major incident developing, such as an outbreak of a pandemic, a local disaster, or a major flooding incident. For example, we provided backup support during the recent weather situations including flooding and extremely cold weather," he said.

The Irish Red Cross ambulance teams and volunteers assisted in transferring patients to and from hospitals, transporting emergency staff to work, bringing public health nurses to visit patients at home and distributing food and water supplies to communities and homes.

The branches in the following counties received the following vehicles:

Limerick:
1 Off-Road Ambulance (West Limerick)
1 Community Ambulance (Doon Branch, East Limerick)
1 Support Vehicle (Limerick City)

Dublin City:
1 Community Ambulance

Kerry:
1 Off-Road Ambulance (Tralee)

Galway:
1 Off-Road Ambulance (Galway City)

Ends
For media enquiries please contact Ms. Pia Ward on 087 - 7433 275 or alternatively Mr. David Curtin on 086 - 283 2123 to arrange an interview.