Donegal Civil Defence County Training Day

Civil Defence personnel in action at a recent training exercise

Donegal’s Civil Defence volunteers take to land, sea and air to perform their duties when called on but even in training, members are presented with some pretty daunting challenges in order to ensure the skills are at their sharpest.

If you would like to find out more or even watch these unsung heroes in action why not make your way to the annual Donegal Civil Defence County Training Day which takes place on Sunday next, November 1 at their headquarters at Railway Road, Stranorlar.

On the day the volunteers will undergo a series of strenuous tests that will include developing and understanding forensic skills, searching for missing people in a wooded area beside a river while using Global Positioning System (GPS) in the process, dealing with a fire emergency at the Bus Eireann Station, using and operating Unmanned Ariel Vehicle (UAVs) or Drones and conducting a search and rescue operation at an imagined disaster area, or on this occasion the new semi-constructed Finn Harps stadium.

 Civil Defence Officer, Edel Flynn

The county’s Civil Defence Officer, Edel Flynn was with the service for many years as a volunteer before her appointment to her current role in February, 2001. She was inspired to initially join up by the possibility of a trip to see the Pope when he visited Knock on September 30, 1979 but as a very recent recruit didn’t actually qualify for the trip.

Over the years however Edel has watched Civil Defence in Donegal emerge from its ‘Cold War’ origins of first aid, rescue and the possibility of nuclear fallout!

“We’ve grown well beyond that now into a body that can not only provide the basics but also get involved in land and water rescue and missing person searches; work as auxiliary fire fighters as well as urban and rope rescue situations. Civil Defence is a volunteer based organisation that supports the PRAs (i.e. An Garda Síochána, the Health Service Executive and local authorities), government departments and state agencies during national, regional and local emergency and non-emergency events,” she said.

She adds they are constantly updating and refining their skill levels both locally and at centralised training sessions at the Civil Defence College in Roscrea, Co. Tipperary.

“Since we moved to our new headquarters in Stranorlar in 2009 our operation has been the envy of a lot of counties throughout Ireland. We’re the first to have a dedicated HQ and it has become the blueprint for others to follow.”

Edel is hoping that up to 50 of their 95 registered members will be taking part in the exercise this Sunday and of course, the public are more than welcome to come along and see what goes on.

“We have members all over the county from as far as Glengad to Pettigo but not everyone can be present on the day but there should be plenty to see. It’s a very serious event and we will have adjudicators from Cavan Civil Defence and extra equipment support from Sligo Civil Defence there on the day too.

“It’s going to be a busy day but one that will be well worth it. Our members are motivated, well trained and very dedicated and like to take part in challenges like this. We’ve a good record doing what we do and we aim to keep the standards high. Exercises such as this, allows us to do this,” she said,

Civil Defence volunteers work in all types of emergencies

Key Facts

Donegal Civil Defence currently provides community support to more than 50 community events each year, as well as acting as a multi-skilled second line service to the main emergency services of the Fire Service, Local Authority, An Garda Síochana, Health Service Executive and Irish Coast Guard.

Training is provided weekly in various centres around the county. Training is delivered in First Aid, Cardiac First Responder, Occupation First Aid and Emergency Responder Levels. All their first aid training is delivered under the Pre Hospital Emergency Care Council and the Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) Programme. They also provide weekly training in Urban and Water Missing Persons Search and Rescue, Rope Rescue and Auxiliary Fire Fighting.

Donegal Civil Defence volunteers provide First Aid and Ambulance cover at major public events as well as assisting the community and statutory services when required. 

Fire fighting duties with the Civil Defence

To avail of this assistance for your event, please contact the Civil Defence Officer on (074) 9175665. See more at: http://www.donegalcoco.ie/services/civildefence/#sthash.Wt4Pf1yQ.dpuf