County Sligo Civil Defence
'Meeting the needs of a changing world’
At accidents and natural disasters, storm relief and crowd control, Civil Defence are there, supporting emergency services in their work – rescue by land, air and water, fire control, and ambulance responses.
The threat of Foot and Mouth dominated the first half of 2001. Nationally Civil Defence played a vital part in ensuring that the country remained exempt from the disease. In various parts of Ireland, volunteers manned the ports from early morning until late at night, and played a critical role in assisting the sealing off of suspected farms. In Sligo, volunteers from the Civil Defence collaborated with the Horse Racing Board by manning all entrances and exits to and from the racecourse in order to safeguard the meetings. This role prevailed throughout the 2001 racing season. Sligo Civil Defence was also on standby to assist the Garda Siochána at the border.
The Minister for State at the Department of Defence, Mr Seamus Brennan, T.D., later made a presentation to all volunteers in recognition of their invaluable service during the crisis.
Once the ‘ all clear’ had been given, community events that had been cancelled, recommenced and the role of Civil Defence reverted back to ambulance cover and stewarding.
June 2001 was a notable month in Sligo’s calendar as it marked the visit by St Therese’s relics to Ballintogher and Sligo Cathedral. Civil Defence assisted by providing ambulance cover, stewarding and car parking supervision at an event in Sligo that attracted thousands of people.
Volunteers were also available to assist in events throughout the latter part of 2001 such as ambulance covering at Mullaghmore mini triathlon, the annual Co-operation North Cycle and providing safety boat cover and safety cover on the river banks for the annual RNLI raft race on the Garavogue River. The Civil Defence unit was also on hand to provide ambulance cover during the official opening of the Heritage Park in Riverstown by the President of Ireland, Mary McAlleese.
Civil Defence was on standby in November 2001, when the Nuclear National Emergency Plan was activated following the terrorist attack on America.
Training is an important aspect of Civil Defence to ensure that all the volunteers are equipped with the necessary and up to date skills that they require to be able to assist their community .
In 2001 training included the attendance of volunteers at a workshop on working with helicopters at the Civil Defence School in Dublin and 12 volunteers successfully completed their intermediate First Aid Examinations .A successful training exercise was also undertaken on Lough Gill in conjunction with Wild Rose Water Boat in which the Air Corp S.A.R.A. unit carried out a rescue from the water.
Work also commenced in 2001 on a new building designed to house the two Civil Defence boats. One of the boats, named the Zodiac , is a semi - rigid rib with a 50mph engine, and was allocated to Sligo’s Civil Defence Unit by the Department during the year. It will enhance the unit’s ability to assist with both coastal and inland waterway searches and recoveries, when required.
2001 also saw Sean Kavanagh retire after 18 years of dedicated and valuable service as Sligo’s Civil Defence officer. Marion Davis continues his work as the new Civil Defence Officer.
The backbone of the Civil Defence is undoubtedly the volunteers and Sligo ‘s Unit is keen to encourage more people to get involved.
In 2001, a recruitment stand was on display at the Abbott’s Sports Day and at the start of the winter training session, 15 new volunteers signed up. Furthermore, a number of calls were received requesting further information on Civil Defence, following publicity in the local media.
In 2002, Sligo’s Civil Defence Unit will continue to be ready, willing and able to assist the emergency services and the community in their hour of need. Those interested in learning more about the service or would like to get actively involved should contact Marion Davis at 071 9157536.
