Westmeath Civil Defence is looking for volunteers. Civil Defence is a volunteer-based organisation whose members are proud to serve as high quality back-up to the primary emergency services and the local community.
Volunteers are multi-skilled and the main programmes of activity undertaken by the organisation are:
Casualty - provision of a first aid and ambulance service
Rescue - urban rescue, open country search for missing persons, and water-based search and recovery
Auxiliary Fire Service - pump and related skills drills, floodwater training, and supplying water to the community
Welfare - provision of hot meals, drinks, and psychosocial support
Communications - operation of two independent radio systems
Members also receive training in skills such as traffic management and stewarding. Many of these skills are widely used when dealing with major climatic events such as the 2009 floods in Athlone; the big freezes in January 2009, December 2010, and January 2011 throughout Westmeath; St Patrick’s Day parades; and sports and entertainment events. Such events demonstrate the importance of having a vibrant, organised, and well-trained local membership in Civil Defence.
Have you two hours a week free? Would you like to learn some of these skills? Would you like to meet new people? Would you like to be involved in working in the community?
If the answer to these questions is yes, why not come along to an information evening on Monday September 16 from 8-9pm in the De Coursey Suite, Greville Arms Hotel, Mullingar.
Civil Defence is all about providing voluntary services and support to the emergency services and the community. The strength lies within its members who willingly give freely of their time and expertise.
You can play your part by joining Westmeath Civil Defence.
The headquarters of Westmeath Civil Defence is located in Culleen Beg, Mullingar. For further information contact Brian Gillen, Civil Defence officer at (087 ) 2546033 or email [email protected]. Further information is also available at www.westmeathcoco.ie and www.civildefence.ie
