Search & Rescue

Missing person searches are one of the most regular call-outs for Civil Defence volunteers who work in support of An Garda Síochana and/ or the Irish Coast Guard. Civil Defence volunteers are qualified to national standards; at Responder, Search Manager and Instructor. Regular joint training exercises are held with both An Garda Síochana and the Coast Guard.  As well as our trained and experienced volunteers Civil Defence has a large range of assets we can offer the search manager. These include 4×4 vehicles, boats, command and control vehicles, trained search dogs and remotely piloted aircraft (drones).

Civil Defence volunteers are certified through the Irish Sailing Association and the Irish Canoe Union to provide boating and kayaking expertise at community and national events, including missing person’s searches, at coastal locations and inland lakes and waterways.

Civil Defence has an extensive remotely piloted aircraft systems (drone) capability. Our drone teams are fully licenced and can operate throughout Ireland. They can quickly search inaccessible areas including along shorelines. We have recently added a thermal imaging capability.

Civil Defence has a number of trained search dog teams. We have dogs trained both for rescue work and also human remains detection dogs.

Enrolment Enquiry