News

Galway Search Operation, Ballinasloe

3 April 2023

On Saturday afternoon, 1st April, Ballinasloe Civil Defence was alerted to search for a male seen entering  the River Suck from the bridge in the town. Ballinasloe Civil Defence boat crew and a drone crew form Galway City responded to the incident. A search of the river was conducted by Ballinasloe Civil Defence and Ballinasloe… Read More


Galway Search Operation, Oranmore

3 April 2023

On Thursday morning 30th March, Galway Civil Defence was activated by An Garda Síochána seeking assistance with a missing person search in Rinville, Oranmore, Co. Galway. Civil Defence Officer, Brendan Qualter and two Galway Civil Defence Drone Units responded to the request and conducted a search of the area of interest. The Irish Coastguard, RNLI… Read More


Cavan – Pre Hospital Care Success Story

20 March 2023

On Saturday afternoon 18th March, Cavan Civil Defence member, Verona Fitzpatrick received  a call to inform her that that a man had collapsed at the local Dowra Mart. Verona responded with the Civil Defence responder kit and defibrillator. When she arrived she found a man collapsed and two bystanders giving chest compressions. Verona attached the… Read More


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