Marinewatch duo brief Cork emergency services on role
WEXFORD Marinewatch envoys Frank Flanagan and George Lawlor travelled to Cork last week to brief representatives of the Voluntary Emergency Services Group on Marinewatch’s role in the town with a view to establishing a similar organisation in their area.
The meeting came about as a result of Wexford Marinewatch’s four years success in saving lives in Wexford Harbour, with a view to seeing how the same model could be applied along the river Lee in Cork City.
An invitation was extended to Marinewatch Management by the Cork Emergency Services, to address the group and explain some of the mechanisms behind its success.
‘We were delighted to get the opportunity to address the group, and hopefully many more lives may be saved as a result,’ said Frank Flanagan, founding member of Wexford Marinewatch.
‘We already have a model that works, and works very effectively here in Wexford – it has huge potential so we see no reason why it can’t be rolled out elsewhere.
‘We will happily provide whatever assistance necessary to support any similar group and do what we can to help them get up and running if they decide to adopt it,’ he said.
The meeting included representatives from Mallow Search & Rescue, Blackrock Search & Rescue, the gardai, Cork Civil Defence, St Johns Ambulance, Mountain Rescue, the National Ambulance Service, Cork City Council, SARDA (Search & Rescue Dogs Association), and the Irish Coast Guard amongst others.
‘ This inter-agency emergency service management approach is what we have here in Wexford, and we believe it is key to the success of any similar scheme,’ he said. ‘We were delighted to see all agencies coming together from the Cork & Kerry region, to try and address the issue of suicide at a local level,’ said Frank.
‘ The group were very impressed at how effective it is and how each of the emergency services work together to save lives in the community.’