Groups impress at Civil Defence day

WEXFORD CIVIL Defence members were put through their paces recently when more than 60 volunteers from Wexford, New Ross and Gorey took part in their county training day.

The theme of the day was ‘ back to basics’ which looked at the quality rather than the quantity of work carried out by groups. There were four separate scenarios on the day to challenge the groups’ skills. These were: first aid with multiple casualties, search skills from missing persons, auxiliary fire services with a pump relay, and ambulance policy and procedures.

The Civil Defence Welfare Service provided food for the volunteers, casualties and instructors throughout the day.

The day concluded with the annual presentation dinner in the Riverbank Hotel.

Guest speakers on the evening included Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council, Cllr Keith Doyle, Director of Services John Carley, and Civil Defence College Principal Róisín McGuire, while representatives from Wexford County Council Fire Services, Wexford Marine Watch, Wexford RNLI, and Wexford Order of Malta also attended. Apologies had been received from Minister Paul Kehoe, Council CEO Tom Enright, and Council Chief Fire Officer Paul L’Estrange.

Cllr Doyle thanked all Wexford Civil Defence volunteers for their help and support during Storm Emma and congratulated them on their continuing and valued contribution to the people of County Wexford during the year through their attendance at dozens of community events and other exercises.

A number of volunteers were presented with Long Service Medals for 30 and 10 years of service respectively, and certificates for courses completed during the year were also presented.

Patricia Power, New Ross Unit and Breda Conroy, Wexford Welfare Unit were awarded 30-year service medals while 10-Year Service Medals were presented to Stephen Boland, Gorey Unit; Patrick Murphy, Wexford Unit; and Fergus Gallagher, Wexford Unit.

The volunteers from the county made a presentation to newly-appointed Civil Defence Officer Peter O’Connor to mark his promotion; the presentation consisted of a group photo and a bouquet of flowers for his wife Pamela.

Members of the Ballygarrett Unit, back row: John Wafer, Anne Wafer, Celestine Swords, Helen Wafer and Donal Wafer. Front row: John Carley (Director of Services, Wexford County Council), Roisin McGuire (Civil Defence College Principal), Peter O’Connor (Chief Officer), and Cllr Keith Doyle (Chairman, Wexford County Council).

Members of the Gorey Unit, back row: James Tighe, Sean Willoughby, Stephen Boland, Celestine Swords, Bill Nolan and Manuel Gardenes. Front row: John Carley (Director of Services, Wexford County Council), Roisin McGuire (Civil Defence College Principal), Peter O’Connor (Chief Officer), and Cllr Keith Doyle (Chairman, Wexford County Council).

LONG SERVICE: Peter Murphy (10 years), Breda Conroy (30 years), Patricia Power (30 years) and Stephen Boland (10 years).

PROMOTIONS: Sinead Furlong, Philip Creane, Liam Buckley and Emer Doyle.