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Clare Civil Defence test their mettle


MEMBERS of Clare Civil Defence have participated in a largescale drill (pictured) focusing on further improving responses to major emergencies, search and recovery, environmental issues, stewarding, flooding problems and forest fires.

The annual exercise, held at the Civil Defence Headquarters in Ennis, also featured competitions for the 70 participating members, who were divided into teams. Among the skills put to the test were first aid, rope and heights rescue, auxiliary fire service, radio communications, boat handling, land and water search and radiation monitoring.

During the course of the day, members responded to a simulated road traffic collision between a car and a motorbike. during which their fire-fighting and first aid skills were tested.
A separate exercise saw Civil Defence personnel plan out a water search and rescue operation.

The Pump Drill competition was won by a team comprising Greg Dormer (leader), Michelle Dixon, Jeffrey Loughnane, Sean McNamara and Brian Kearney.
The all-services exercise was won by Michelle Power (leader), Liz Purcell, Patrick McMahon, Ruth Kennedy, Nicole Gleeson, Debbie Houlihan, Vanessa O’Loughlin, Gemma Cooper, Damian Walsh and Niall Guinnane.

The drill was followed by the annual Clare Civil Defence presentation dinner which was attended by Joe Arkins, Mayor of Clare; Bernadette Kinsella, Director of Services; Chief Superintendent John Kerin, Clare Garda Division; Adrian Kelly, Chief Fire Officer; Kevin Houston, Technical Officer, Department of Defence, various Clare County Council officials and Civil Defence members.

Speaking at the event, Mayor Arkins paid tribute to members who he said “give freely of their time and expertise to provide an invaluable and important public service”.
“Your participation in this exercise enhances your collective ability to respond more efficiently to incidents when they occur. Constant upskilling and training are key to most lines of work but it is especially important in the case of Civil Defence personnel, and all emergency services and response teams,” he added.

Clare Civil Defence Officer Liam Griffin explained members also train for and participate in national exercises.

“These exercises provide opportunities for largescale exercising of the members, help to broaden their skills and provide a forum to inject external influence and expertise into the organisation and provide objective assessment of performance. We are proud of our long track record of service in County Clare and are keen to continue to broaden our skills base and enhance our ability to respond more efficiently to incidents,” he commented.

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