Well done to all the Volunteers from Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow that participated in the Practical Session of the Rescue 3 Flood Responder Course today. Extremely cold day for swimming In Laragh from 09.00 till 15.00. Great to see the Region Training together.
Congratulations to all the DCD Volunteers that passed their EFR OSCES Assessment Exams last weekend. Particular Big Thanks to our EFR Instructors that gave so much of their time and effort. Well done to All for their dedication and commitment over the last few months.
This weekend saw a very successful assessment of our four K9 search dogs and handlers in a number of different scenarios and environments. The weekend assessments by a UK based police dog assessor is part of the ongoing development of the Civil Defence K9 resource of both dogs and handlers.
Special Thanks to all our Volunteers on Duty at St Patricks Day Parades throughout the County. 190 Volunteers and 38 Vehicles were involved.
DCD will hold two Induction Nights on the 5th and 12th April for potential new Recruits. Please contact our HQ at 016772699 between 11am and 3pm to book a place. Places are limited and attendance at an Induction Night does not guarantee a place in DCD.
A Book of Condolence will be available in our HQ from Monday Morning up to 7pm each night. Our on line Facebook Book of Condolence is also available. Rest In Peace Dear Friend and Colleague.
It is with Great Sadness to Report the Passing of Commander Joe Fleming. He dedicated over 50yrs to The AFS in Dublin Civil Defence. Our Deapest Condolence to his Family and many Friends.
Central and Nugrove AFS units were assisting again today with low water pressure in Dolphin House Flats.
DCD AFS units were called out by Dublin City Council to assist with water shortages in a LA apartment block. Access was gained to the roof by a hydraulic lift in order to fill the water tanks on eight blocks.
The old Civil Defence Motto from the 1970’s has been very apt over the course of the severe weather non more so than tonight with Wicklow CD and Dublin CD working side by side in the Manor of Kilbride to assist an elderly couple. Well done to all our Volunteers throughout the Country.
After completing a dialysis patient call this evening the G Wagon Ambulance crew came across a SJA crew stuck in an estate. DCD freed them and then assisted them finish their patient transfer in the estate. Great Inter agency between vols
Special Thanks to all of our Volunteers that have worked over the last few days and in particular right through the night last night assisting the Emergency Services In very difficult conditions.
The Defence Forces have deployed 26 personnel and seven 4×4 vehicles in a range of support to communities in Cork, Kilkenny, Wexford and Waterford so far this morning.
In Cork, following requests from the HSE and local authorities, three 4×4 vehicles and six personnel are transporting palliative care staff to house bound patients, as well as providing general transport support.
In Wexford and Waterford, following a request from the HSE, two 4×4 vehicles and four personnel are assisting in transporting essential medical staff, as well as patients requiring medical treatment, to and from Wexford and Waterford General Hospitals.
In Kilkenny, following a request from Kilkenny County Council, two 4×4 vehicles and 16 personnel are assisting the local community with the provision of a meals on wheels service, as well as clearing snow and ice from key locations in Kilkenny City.
In Kildare, following a request from Kildare County Council, support is being provided for essential staff transport for nursing homes and a snow plough has been provided.
Civil Defence Units countrywide are on standby to assist communities and are currently active across a range of activities. Civil Defence has 3,500 volunteers based in every Local Authority area in the country. Civil Defence has a wide range of equipment to deal with severe weather including 88 Boats, 47 Fire Tenders, 9 Floating Pontoon Units and 130 Four Wheel Drive vehicles.
The Defence Forces, Civil Defence and Department of Defence, as part of the National Emergency Management Group, are monitoring the requirement for support and local units are liaising with their counterparts in the County Councils, HSE and Garda Siochana.
Speaking from the National Coordination Centre this afternoon, Minister of State with responsibility for Defence Paul Kehoe said:
“The Defence Forces and Civil Defence are responding to a number of requests for assistance and will continue to do so during this extreme weather period.”
Minister Kehoe stated that it is up to each local authority to request the assistance of the Defence Forces:
“My strong advice to people is to remain calm and not to make any unnecessary journeys.Check in on your elderly and vulnerable neighbours and continue to visit www.gov.ie for updates.”
DCD’s Cold Weather Shelter will remain open throughout the day and night during this severe weather spell
DCD have also supplied 40 camp beds to the Homeless Service.
Congratulations to Leah Kennedy and Aaron Rooney in passing out today after a tough 16weeks recruit training in The Navy. They took part in a wonderful close order foot drill demonstration. Well done to all the new Navy Ratings and we wish them well in their careers in the armed forces.
12 DCD Volunteers passed their Flood Responder Refresher Course In Laragh today. Well done to all involved and special thanks to our three instructors.
As part of our upgrading program our two 4x4 G Wagon Ambulances and our long Wheel Base Landrover were resprayed and the Ambulances given a complete internal refit.
