Civil Defence certificates
Minister with Responsibility for Defence, Paul Kehoe TD congratulated Civil Defence volunteer instructors and instructors from the National Ambulance Service and a member of the Defence Forces on the awarding of their certificates at the Civil Defence College in Roscrea on Friday May 10.
The awards include Missing Person Search Team Leader and Responder, Swiftwater and Flood Responder, First Aid Response, Manual Handling and People Handling Instructors.
Civil Defence volunteer Instructors play a pivotal role in the delivery of training to Civil Defence volunteers nationally. They are a dedicated and skilled group of individuals who volunteer to undertake training to allow them pass on skills and knowledge to their peers. The skills are used on a daily basis by volunteers, while supporting their local communities and the Principal Response Agencies.
The Missing Person Search Instructors are of particular mention, having completed Civil Defences new Missing Persons Search Programme. The programme is the first such course to be developed and accredited in Ireland. Search Instructors prepare volunteers for the important roles of Search Responder and Team Leaders ensuring interoperability with An Garda Síochána when called upon to assist in missing persons incidents.
The Swiftwater and Flood Instructors will complement the existing group of instructors throughout the country. The skills and knowledge they will impart will form part of the service volunteers provide, during severe weather events, missing person searches near water and other valuable services provided by Civil Defence volunteers.
The First Aid Response Instructors and the Manual and People Handling Instructors will enhance the current cadre of instructors to provide first aid and health and safety training for volunteers.
“Civil Defence continues to evolve to meet the needs of Primary Response Agencies and the community within which it operates. Its responsiveness and adaptability reflects the commitment of volunteers to give so generously of their time, commitment and expertise," " said Minister Kehoe.
"The Department of Defence would like to thank Civil Defence Officers and Assistant Civil Defence Officers for their leadership in supporting and facilitating volunteers who advance to instructor status."