News

Civil Defence K9 Unit welcome new dogs and introduces first fully trained female handler

9 March 2023

The Civil Defence K9 Unit announced today that they have recently added two new search dogs to their Victim Recovery Unit. Civil Defence K9 Unit are also pleased to announce the recent qualification of their first female dog handler, Karen Kelly. Civil Defence is a volunteer-based organisation that supports frontline emergency services. Civil Defence also… Read More

Civil Defence & Local Authority Representatives at the Houses of the Oireachtas

8 March 2023

The Oireachtas Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence met with representatives of the Department of Defence and the local authorities to discuss Civil Defence on 7th March. Civil Defence & Local Authority representatives at the Houses of the Oireachtas video

Voluntary Emergency Services Training Day – 4th March 2023

8 March 2023

Wexford County Council, hosted a Voluntary Emergency Services (VES) Information day for Waterford and Wexford area in County Hall on Saturday 4th March 2023. This information day was arranged by the VES Sub-group. The VES group represents voluntary emergency services from Carlow, Kilkenny Waterford and Wexford and is supported by the Principal Response Agencies (PRA)… Read More

Fire at Wexford General Hospital  

3 March 2023

On Wednesday afternoon, 1st March a major emergency was declared after a fire broke out in the machinery room of Wexford General Hospital. Over 200 patients had to be evacuated but no injuries were reported among either patients or staff. The patients, among them those seriously ill and in intensive care, were ferried by ambulances… Read More

VEMS Newsletter – February 2023

2 March 2023

VEMS Newsletter February 2023

Cork North & East Covid-19 Medal Presentation

10 February 2023

Covid-19 medals were presented to volunteers from Cork North & East Civil Defence at a medal ceremony in Mallow on Friday the 27th January 2023.  The medals on the night were presented by Sorcha Cooney, Senior Assistant Chief Fire officer.  

Civil Defence Bill 2023

27 January 2023

  Publication of the Civil Defence Bill 2023 The new Civil Defence Bill 2023 and associated Explanatory Memorandum was on Wednesday, 25th January 2023, published on the Houses of the Oireachtas website. The Bill can be found at the following link: https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/bills/bill/2023/5/ The Bill will now proceed through the normal legislative process. This is a… Read More

John Ryan CDO Cork, Retirement

16 December 2022

John Ryan has retired as Civil Defence Officer in Cork City. John was appointed in 2001 and served both as Chief Fire Officer and as Civil Defence Officer. In earlier years, this was a common arrangement. We wish John all the best for a long and prosperous retirement.  

Mayo Civil Defence – Severe Weather Relief Efforts

13 December 2022

The Mayo Civil Defence Severe Weather (SWORD) Driver team was activated by the HSE on Saturday 10th December and again Monday 12th December to assist local Palliative Care Services – providing transport with 4×4 vehicles in the Hollymount & Louisburgh areas.

Certified Off-Road and Severe Weather Driving Course

12 December 2022

Over the weekend of 10-11 December 24 Meath Civil Defence volunteers completed the Lantra certified off-road and severe weather driving course. It was the first courses run on our specifically constructed course at our HQ in Navan. Thank you to Kevin Jones and his team from Terra Firma for an excellent course.