Emergency Services 74

IRELAND GETS SET TO HOST EU PRESIDENCY SECURITY AND DEFENCE UP IN THE AIR? MEDIA PARTNER OF ‘EMERGENCY SERVICES & MILITARY EXPO 2026’

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Fón: 01 205 4700 Ríomhphost: info@dlrcoco.ie Gréasán: www.dlrcoco.ie

SPRING 2026

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IRELAND GETS SET TO HOST EU PRESIDENCY SECURITY AND DEFENCE UP IN THE AIR?

NE WS UPDATE

EMERGENCY & MILITARY EXPO

‘Emergency Services Ireland’ has joined forces as media partner with The Emergency Services & Military Expo 2026 on 19 March at the RDS, Dublin, which will see the official launch of the Irish Blue Light Awards, to recognise individuals and teams across the frontline services who demonstrate extraordinary commitment in protecting and serving our communities.

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CAREER MOBILITY

Career mobility between the emergency services and military in Ireland should be a planned, supported option for those who wish to continue serving in a different capacity, according to Stephen Moore, founder of ‘Out of the Blue Training Services’ and organiser of the Emergency Services & Military Expo.

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MEDISNAP TECHNOLOGY

A unique new app is now helping paramedics to get a clearer picture of a patient’s medication history, quite literally, during emergency callouts. Donegal paramedic Declan Watters, who developed the ‘MediSnap’ app, has received very positive feedback since it went live. He outlines further plans in the pipeline, including his pursuit of regulatory approval, in conversation with ‘ Emergency Services Ireland’.

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IRELAND’S EU PRESIDENCY

Ireland’s long-standing policy of neutrality is again under scrutiny in advance of the six-month rotating EU Presidency from 1 July. ‘Emergency Services Ireland’ has invited three of the country’s leading security and defence experts to provide their viewpoints on the level (or lack) of preparedness during this period of heightened geopolitical instability.

ISSUE 74

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MEDIA PARTNER OF ‘EMERGENCY SERVICES & MILITARY EXPO 2026’

JUSTICE INVESTMENT PLAN

Over €2bn approved for the Sectoral Investment Plan for Justice will support increased prison capacity, the opening of new Garda stations, new courthouses and further investment in the National Cyber Security Centre. The five-year plan will also deliver key technology for the Gardaí, the Department of Justice and the wider justice sector.

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DEFENCE FORCES FUNDING

A new five-year National Development Plan, setting out the Government’s €1.7bn capital investment in defence, was unveiled by Minister for Defence Helen McEntee TD during her first official visit to the Defence Forces Training Centre at the Curragh Camp last December.

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DEFENCE DRONE TECHNOLOGY

The Defence Forces Artillery School (DFAS) is maintaining and evolving the capability of drone technology, which continues to develop at an unprecedented speed, shaping both the intelligence and battle spaces.

Lieutenant Cillian Moran, Official DFAS Instructor, discusses current and future capabilities and gives some updates on international learnings in this area.

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ROAD SAFETY CONFERENCE

Registration is now open for the 2026 National ‘Safer Roads’ Road Safety Conference & Exhibition in Killarney, Co. Kerry on 11-12 March, which will focus on improving road safety, reducing traffic-related incidents, and sharing knowledge about best practices for safer road use.

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CONTE NTS SPRI NG 2026

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HEALTH SERVICES SURVEY

A major new study on Ireland’s health and social care services has revealed a growing staff retention crisis, resulting in systemic understaffing, poor communications and low staff morale, with 67% of health workers now ‘actively’ considering leaving.

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BLOOD BIKE LEGISLATION

Consultations are due to take place between the Department of Transport and the agencies on the rollout of a revised road traffic legislation, enabling blood bike volunteers to freely use the bus lanes.

The move follows the approval granted, in principle, by the government in October 2025.

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CIVIL DEFENCE

NATIONAL BRAVERY AWARDS

National Bravery Awards for 2025 were presented to Gardaí and members of the public across Ireland who heroically risked their own lives to aid others in peril. Recipients from Mayo, Galway, Kildare, Offaly, Roscommon, Dublin, Donegal, Waterford, Cork and Cavan were among those honoured at the ceremony in Leinster House in December.

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EU HEALTHCARE REGULATIONS

Doctors, nurses and pharmacists in Ireland will, over the coming years, be able to securely access and update patient health records from across the European Union, via a unified electronic health record standard, under new landmark EU health regulations, marking the biggest improvements in data accessibility in decades.

PU B L I S H E R Patrick Aylward E D I TO R Grace Heneghan

@EmergencyIrlMag www.facebook.com/emergencyservicesireland

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G R A PH I C D E S I G N Niall McHugh A D M I N I S T R AT I O N Anne-Marie Moran C I R CU L AT I O N Audrey Fitzgerald

CROSS BORDER FIRE/RESCUE PROJECT

A major cross border project that aims to strengthen the level of emergency preparedness, mutual aid and interoperability, specialist development training and joint exercises between firefighters and emergency personnel from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland over the next three years, has received funding of over €2m from the PEACEPLUS programme.

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Celebrating a ‘legacy of service’ and honouring selflessness of volunteers who have served the Civil Defence in Ireland over the last 75 years, commemorative medals were presented to hundreds of volunteers across three regional events in September and October 2025.

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www.emergency-services.ie

LONDON AMBULANCE CHARITY

The British Heart Foundation is supporting a life-saving charity campaign from the London Ambulance Service by donating 18 defibrillators for areas across the capital where they are needed the most. The ‘Heart Starters’ campaign was launched by the London Ambulance Charity with the aim of raising funds for hundreds of additional defibrillators.

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INTERSCHUTZ 2026

Rising call volumes, increasingly complex incident scenarios, rapid technological change, and limited personnel resources are presenting emergency services worldwide with growing challenges. How frontline organisations can position themselves for the future will be demonstrated at INTERSCHUTZ on 1-6 June in Hanover, Germany.

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EENA CONFERENCE 2026

The European Emergency Number Association (EENA) Conference & Exhibition for 2026 will take place in Riga, Latvia on 15–17 April, offering discussions, practical insights, and opportunities to connect with more than 700 public safety professionals from over 50 countries.

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NE WS

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INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Emergency Services Ireland, 14 Upper Fitzwilliam Street, Dublin 2 T: 01-6785165 E: info@emergency-services.ie W: www.emergency-services.ie

Whilst every effort has been made to ensure that the information included in correct, the publisher cannot accept responsibility for errors, omissions or discrepancies. The views expressed are no necessarily those of the publisher.

All Rights Reserved Emergency Services Ireland © 2026

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NEWS UPDATE

EXPANDED EMERGENCY HUMANITARIAN FLOODING SCHEME TO COME ON STREAM

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he Government has approved the expansion of the Emergency Humanitarian Flooding Scheme (EHFS) with the previous limit of €20,000 now increased to €100,000, to support small businesses, community, voluntary and sporting organisations impacted by severe flooding in the wake of Storm Chandra.

The Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke TD, who received government approval to open the expanded scheme, said: “We know the devastation and significant damage recent weather has caused for employers, workers and communities in general.”

The Minister added that the scheme is designed to deliver financial relief fast, so owners can focus on reopening their doors, protecting jobs and restoring local life. He said the priority now is to ensure support arrives quickly, with an emphasis on getting money to eligible businesses as quickly as possible and help them get back on their feet.

The Irish Red Cross will continue to administer the scheme on behalf of the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, ensuring rapid and accessible support.

Under the existing EHFS, initial payments of up to €5,000 will be made quickly to assist with urgent repair costs, usually within two days. Where damages exceed €5,000, applicants may pursue additional support following assessment, with a total cap of €20,000.

In recognition of the exceptional levels of damage observed in several areas across the country and subject to professional assessment, total assistance will be available

For details visit www.redcross.ie/flooding/

up to €100,000 per business or organisation. Independent professional assessments will be conducted by assessors appointed through the Irish Red Cross. This enhanced tier is designed to support those premises experiencing the heaviest structural and stock damage.

To reflect the scale of impact, the definition of ‘small business’ for these schemes will be updated to include enterprises with up to 50 employees, ensuring that more employers in affected communities can access this vital assistance Both schemes provide humanitarian support, focusing on restoring premises to their pre-flood condition which includes flooring, fixtures and fittings together with damaged stock replacement and essential works to facilitate reopening.

ENTRIES REMAIN OPEN FOR NATIONAL RESCUE CHALLENGE 2026

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ntries remain open for both the trauma and extrication challenges at this year’s National Rescue Challenge, which will be held on Saturday 18 April in Hacketstown Fire Centre, Co. Carlow, in partnership with Carlow County Fire & Rescue Service.

This annual event is hosted by Rescue Organisation Ireland (ROI) every year to focus on improving, updating and standardising the training for emergency and fire services personnel.

The ROI event tests CPR skills, teamwork and readiness in reallife scenarios, when responding to road traffic collisions, and offers frontline responders with a unique opportunity to showcase their lifesaving skills and share knowledge in cardiac arrest

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management and pre-hospital trauma care.

For further information and entry forms visit http:// rescueorganisationireland.ie/ The National Rescue Challenge 2026 will determine and select the top extrication and trauma teams to represent Ireland at World Rescue Challenge 2026, which takes place in Brazil on 18-23 November.

The event in Rio de Janeiro will feature top international teams competing in extrication and trauma scenarios. This five day international event for emergency services will focus on improving skills, knowledge, and best practices in casualty care and rescue techniques. For more information visit https://wrescue. org/world-rescue-challenge/ about/

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NEWS UPDATE

OVER 13,000 PATIENTS TREATED WITHOUT HOSPITAL BEDS IN JANUARY – INMO REPORT

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he Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisations (INMO) has stated that 13,077 patients were treated without a bed in several hospitals across Ireland in January.

The union’s most recent report states that in addition to the high numbers of patients on trolleys, INMO members have raised concerns with the Health Service Executive (HSE) about “the continuous use of so-called surge capacity”, which they claim involves additional bed capacity, for which no additional staffing has been allocated.

Hospitals with the highest number of patients on trolleys in January: * University Hospital Limerick: 1,991 * University Hospital Galway: 1.356 * Cork University Hospital: 1,026 * Sligo University Hospital: 995 * Letterkenny University Hospital: 898 INMO’s General Secretary Phil Ni Sheaghdha said that members are reporting long waiting times for patients, high numbers of patients on wards, and the introduction of additional surge capacity across hospitals to accommodate the extra numbers.

“The pressure placed on existing staff is already enormous when they are caring for over 13,000 patients in additional inappropriate spaces in one month alone.

However, the use of unstaffed surge beds disguises the true scale of the overcrowding problem.”

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CRITICAL REPORTS OF 54% INCREASE IN EMERGENCY CALLS DURING 2025

reland's voluntary emergency medical response charity, CRITICAL, reported a 54% increase in calls during 2025, having responded to over 2,000 incidents in one year for the first time ever.

CRITICAL volunteers attended a total of 2,022 medical and trauma emergency calls last year, up from 1,308 in 2024, with the highest rate of callouts in Dublin (493), Cork 376), Tipperary (165), Donegal (120) and Waterford (112).

The types of calls included chest pain, cardiac arrests, strokes, road traffic collisions, falls and choking incidents.

David Tighe, CEO of CRITICAL said, “A 54% increase in callouts is a clear indication of the demand on our emergency services and the impact our growing network of volunteers is

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She pointed to a crisis in acute hospital capacity, made worse by a failure to appropriately resource community services. “These services should be relieving pressure on hospitals and allowing patients to seek appropriate care in other settings, but they simply have not been adequately funded or staffed, and this has an effect across the health service.”

Staffing and reversing the effects of the HSE’s Pay and Numbers strategy, are key to addressing this crisis, noted Ni Sheaghdha. “Both the system and our members are completely overwhelmed. The solution must start with staffing if we’re to improve working conditions for members and ensure safe and dignified care for anyone attending our hospitals.”

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having across the country.

“Our volunteers – doctors, paramedics, EMTs and community first responders – give their time, skills and expertise to support their local communities. We receive no Government funding and rely on public donations to provide and expand our life-saving services.”

David Tighe, CEO of CRITICAL

The Limerick headquartered charity has over 300 responders active across Ireland who are alerted to life-threatening emergencies by the HSE National Ambulance Service.

This includes doctors and consultants equipped with emergency response vehicles and high-tech equipment; Community First Responder (CFR) groups; as well off-duty paramedics and emergency medical technicians (EMTs).

New CFR groups have also been established in Balbriggan, North Dublin, Ennis, Co. Clare, in addition to Douglas and Youghal in Co. Cork, with plans by the charity to launch further CFR groups in Kilkenny, Clare and Tipperary.

For more information or to make a CRITICAL donation visit www.criticalcharity.ie

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NEWS UPDATE

GUIDE TO CORE COMPETENCIES FOR EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PRACTITIONERS IN IRELAND

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report, commissioned by the Emergency Management Institute Ireland (EMII), now presents the first nationally validated core competency framework for emergency management practitioners in Ireland.

‘Core Competencies for Emergency Management Practitioners in Ireland’, produced by EMII in partnership with DCU Business School, has been authored by Prof Caroline McMullan, Dr Gavin Brown, and Kate McLoughlin.

Drawing on international good practice and extensive engagement with EMII practitioners across Ireland, the framework identifies 16 core competencies that provide a shared foundation for policy, education, professional development, and workforce capability across the emergency management profession.

According to the EMII, “our research reflects a commitment to advancing evidence-based practice, professional standards, and national resilience through collaboration between academia and practitioners”.

To download the full report visit: https://lnkd.in/dhiASjQC

HEALTHCARE ABROAD EXPANDS NETWORK IN EUROPE WITH MALAGA HOSPITAL PARTNERSHIP

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ealthcare Abroad, Ireland’s cross-border healthcare facilitator, has signed a partnership with an international hospital in Malaga, significantly expanding access for Irish patients to get planned medical treatment in Spain under the EU Cross-Border Directive.

Under the new partnership Irish patients will be able to access treatment across a range of medical specialties at Vithas Xanit International Hospital, a multi-procedure, internationally accredited private hospital, creating capacity to treat up to 800 Irish patients per annum.

Xanit International Hospital, part of the Vithas

For more information visit www.healthcareabroad.ie.

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Healthcare Group, offers treatment across a range of specialties, including orthopaedics, general surgery, gynaecology, urology, diagnostics and other planned procedures, commonly associated with extended waiting times in Ireland.

Under the EU Cross-Border Healthcare Directive, Irish residents are entitled to access planned medical treatment in other EU countries, with eligible costs reimbursed by the HSE. Healthcare Abroad manages the end-to-end process for patients, from eligibility assessment and documentation through to treatment coordination and post-treatment support.

Paul Byrne, Chief Operations Officer at Healthcare Abroad, said: “This partnership with Xanit International Hospital marks a significant expansion of our European network and our ability to support Irish patients waiting too long for planned care.”

Byrne added that in recent months they have focused on expanding access to specialist and high-demand procedures for Irish patients. “This agreement further strengthens our capacity to meet growing demand and ensures patients are aware of the safe, HSE-backed options available to them under the EU Cross-Border Healthcare Directive.”

Healthcare Abroad has now facilitated treatment for over 2,500 patients from Ireland, under the EU Directive and works with a network of 86 private hospitals across Europe.

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EMERGENCY SERVICES & MILITARY EXPO

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EMERGENCY SERVICES & MILITARY EXPO

Media Partnership of Expo 2026 ‘Emergency Services Ireland’ has joined forces with The Emergency Services & Military Expo 2026, on 19 March at the RDS, Dublin. The event will include the official launch of the Irish Blue Light Awards, to recognise individuals and teams across the blue light services who demonstrate extraordinary commitment in protecting and serving our communities.

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he Expo is Ireland’s sole event specifically designed to support and guide emergency services and military personnel looking to advance within their current roles, discover new opportunities following retirement, or seeking out new careers.

“The event is about recognising the value of service, creating real opportunities, and ensuring people have the right information and support at every stage of their career,” according to Stephen Moore, Expo Organiser and Founder of ‘Out of the Blue Training & Employment Services’.

He founded ‘Out of the Blue Training & Employment Services’ in late 2023, after spending 20 years as a member of An Garda Síochána,

where he trained over 2,000 Gardaí on interview techniques.

This Expo in Dublin’s RDS will be the fifth event to be rolled out by Stephen and his team, since the first one was held in April 2024.

The second event will follow later this year, taking place in the Radisson Hotel in Athlone on Thursday 10 September.

He says the Expo has “become an invaluable resource for everyone within the emergency and military services as they navigate their next career steps”.

On the Agenda at Expo 2026: • One-to-one coaching sessions • Networking opportunities • Service and industry leaders

• Upskilling and training options • Expert financial advice • Fitness and health guidelines • Pension/Parity updates • Tech & Equipment showcase Keynote Speakers/Topics To-Date • Nuala Moore – Resilience and decision-making when normal is the risk: Lessons from extreme environments.

• Michelle O’Toole & Brian Doyle – HUGS Community: Wellbeing for first responders and the people who support them: psychological first aid, peer support and practical tools.

IRISH BLUE LIGHT AWARDS

A major highlight of the Expo in the RDS on 19 March will be the official launch of the Irish Blue Light Awards.

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EMERGENCY SERVICES & MILITARY EXPO

• James Carty – The Operator’s Edge: Building sustainable high performance and a leadership culture that protects wellbeing in high-stakes roles.

Panel Discussions: Upskilling • A Life in Service • Transitioning from Service • Fair Pensions for Uniformed Services Questions & Answers: The Expo will also include a dedicated Q&A forum, which will bring together both serving and former members of An Garda Síochána, the Defence Forces and Reserve, Fire and Emergency Services, Prison Service, Coast Guard, ambulance and medical services – alongside industry leaders, training and educational providers.

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The second Emergency Services & Military Expo for 2026 will take place later this year in Athlone at the Radisson Blu Hotel on Thursday 10 September 2026.

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CAREER MOBILITY

Career Opportunities Between Ireland’s Frontline Services Career mobility between the emergency services and military in Ireland should be a planned, supported option for capable professionals who may wish to continue serving in a different capacity, according to Stephen Moore. The former Garda and founder of ‘Out of the Blue Training & Employment Services’ claims that closer co-ordination between the frontline services simply requires recognition, structure and communication.

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reland’s emergency services and military are built on the same foundations of service, sacrifice, discipline and duty. Gardaí, Defence Forces personnel, firefighters, paramedics, prison officers and other frontline workers all operate under intense pressure, with high public expectations and often limited resources.

However, when it comes to careers, we treat each service as if it exists in a vacuum. A Garda who wants to move into the Defence Forces, a soldier who wants to transition into the fire service, or a paramedic considering a role in policing often find themselves starting almost from scratch.

They may need to re-apply, retrain, and re-prove what they have already demonstrated for years in another uniform. In a small country that depends so heavily on its frontline workers, this is a missed opportunity.

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SHARED SKILLS, SILOED SYSTEMS Across the emergency services and military, the core skill set is remarkably consistent: • Calm decision-making under pressure • Ethical judgement and accountability • Investigation, analysis and report writing • Leadership, supervision and team coordination • Risk assessment and operational planning • Communication with the public, often in crisis • Resilience, discipline and reliability We recognise these skills in theory, but our systems rarely recognise them in practice.

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CAREER MOBILITY

Recruitment processes, promotion structures and training pathways are designed almost entirely within each organisation.

A Garda with years of experience in critical incident response may still be treated as an ‘unproven’ candidate when applying to another service. A Defence Forces NCO with a career of leadership and logistics may not receive meaningful credit for that experience when moving into civilian emergency management or policing.

The predictable result is frustration for individuals, wasted talent for the State, and unnecessary recruitment costs for services that are already struggling to attract and retain staff.

HUMAN COST OF DISCONNECTION Behind the policy language are real people. Many frontline workers reach a point where they need a change – for family reasons, health, burnout, or simply because their career has plateaued.

Some are forced to leave a service they still care deeply about because there is no flexibility, no alternative pathway and no joined-up thinking about how their skills could be used elsewhere.

Instead of being supported to move laterally into another emergency or military role, they are often left to navigate the civilian job market alone, undervaluing their own experience and struggling to translate it into ‘civilian language’.

This is not just a workforce planning issue. It is a duty-of-care

issue. If we ask people to give the best years of their lives to public service, we have an obligation to think beyond their first contract or their first uniform.

Career mobility between services should not be a last resort for the desperate; it should be a planned, supported option for capable professionals who want to continue serving in a different capacity.

OPEN LINES OF COMMUNICATION Closer co-ordination between Ireland’s emergency services and military does not require a radical overhaul of every organisation. It requires three things: recognition, structure and communication.

1. Recognition of transferable skills • Develop a shared, national framework of core competencies across An Garda Síochána, Defence Forces, Fire Services, Ambulance Service, Prison Service and other relevant agencies.

• Map existing ranks, roles and training to this framework so that experience in one service can be fairly recognised in another.

• Agree on credit for prior learning and experience, so a seasoned professional is not treated the same as a brand-new recruit.

2. Structured pathways between services • Create formal “lateral entry” routes where experienced personnel can move between services at an appropriate level, subject to targeted bridging training rather than full re-training.

• Pilot secondment programmes, allowing temporary transfers between services to build understanding, share expertise and test new career paths.

• Establish joint training modules (e.g. leadership, incident command, mental health awareness, major emergency management) that are recognised across multiple services.

3. Clear communication and support for individuals • Provide transparent information to serving personnel about career options across the wider emergency and military ecosystem.

• Offer tailored career coaching, CV and interview support that helps them articulate their skills in a way that different services – and civilian employers – can understand.

• Involve representative bodies and associations in designing these supports so they are trusted and accessible.

Benefits for State, not just the individual: Some might argue that making it easier for people to move between services will simply accelerate attrition. In reality, the opposite is more likely. When people feel trapped, they leave the system entirely. When they see a future – even if it means changing uniform – they are more likely to stay within public service.

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Open windows and doors Don’t smoke, vape or use a naked flame Don’t unplug or switch anything electrical on or off Turn off the gas at the meter Then, no matter who your gas supplier is, call our 24 hour emergency service.

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If you can’t get through, call 999 or 112. In the interests of public safety all emergency calls are recorded.

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CAREER MOBILITY

Closer co-ordination between the emergency services and military is not a luxury. It is a practical, costeffective response to the realities we are already living with. It starts with acknowledging that a career in service should not be a one-way street with a dead end.

It should be a network of pathways – between Garda stations and barracks, fire stations and control rooms, uniformed roles and civilian support functions – that allows people to continue serving in ways that fit their lives, their health and their families.

Ireland’s frontline workers have shown, time and again, that they are willing to adapt to whatever the country asks of them. It is time our systems showed the same flexibility in return.

Closer co-ordination would: • Reduce recruitment costs by retaining trained, vetted and experienced personnel within the broader emergency/military family.

• Improve resilience by building a more flexible workforce with a deeper understanding of how different services operate.

• Strengthen leadership by allowing talented individuals to gain experience across organisations, bringing fresh perspectives to long-standing challenges.

• Enhance public safety by ensuring that hard-won skills are not lost simply because someone needs a different working pattern, location or role.

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CAREER SYSTEMS TO REFLECT REALITY In a crisis, our emergency services and military already work side by side.

Our career systems should reflect that reality. Ireland is facing welldocumented challenges in recruiting and retaining frontline staff.

At the same time, we have a growing cohort of experienced Gardaí, Defence Forces personnel and other emergency workers who are considering their next step – often earlier in their careers than previous generations.

We can continue to treat each resignation as an isolated loss, or we can step back and ask a more strategic question: How do we keep this experience, this training and this commitment within the public service – even if it means a change of badge or uniform?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: The founder of Out of the Blue Training Ltd, Stephen Moore has 20 years of experience working in An Garda Síochána, where he trained over 2,000 Gardaí in interview techniques. He is also the author of three books ‘The Guardians 100 years of An Garda Síochána’, ‘Pearse Street 100’ and ‘A History of Kevin Street Garda Station’.

A former Divisional Rep with the Garda Representative Association (GRA), Stephen is “passionate about helping members of the emergency services and the defence forces to transition to new careers”.

He said he understands that leaving or retiring from the emergency services or military can be “a daunting task”, and he is committed to providing individuals with the support and guidance they need to succeed.

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MEDISNAP TECHNOLOGY

‘ MediSnap’ App is Proving to be a Lifesaver for Paramedics The MediSnap app has now solved a problem regularly faced by paramedics, by helping them to quickly determine a patient’s medication history during emergency callouts.

Donegal paramedic Declan Watters, who developed the app, talks to Michael McHale about the positive feedback he has received since the app recently went live and future plans, including his pursuit to to get approval from the Health Products Regulatory Authority.

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hat medication are you taking?’ It’s a question that medical professionals ask time and time again.

However, in an emergency, the answer may not always be that clear. For paramedics, it is often a patient’s loved ones who are tasked with giving an answer – even when they may not know it themselves.

Similarly, elderly people may know what their daily tablet intake looks like but might be less familiar with what each pill is for. ‘My doctor told me to take them’ is an all-toocommon refrain heard by those on the frontlines.

Paramedic Declan Watters, from Letterkenny, Co. Donegal, has come across situations like this quite often, and sometimes on several occasions during a single shift. The challenge it presents in delivering crucial care inspired him to find a more reliable way to source this vital information.

Regulatory approval would allow the app to be promoted as a medical tool, according to Declan Watters.

“The tablets we’re seeing day in and day out – we know what they’re for,” he told ‘Emergency Services Ireland’. “However, there are certain tablets that may have a different generic name that might catch us out.”

The dilemma, he added, often leaves paramedics resorting to Google for answers. More recently, artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as another far-from-reliable source.

Early last year Declan tested AI’s ability to give him the answers he was looking for. He took a photo of some medications and uploaded it onto the AI platform ChatGPT. The information it provided about the drugs was lengthy and detailed, but there was no way to check its accuracy.

It was that need to verify AI’s response that led to the development of a new app that frontline medical professionals can use to provide accurate, reliable information about medicines in real time.

MediSnap works by the user taking a picture of packaging, prescription labels or blister packs on their phone, then uploading the image to the app.

Within a few seconds they receive critical information on what the medicine contains and its uses. After discussing the concept of the app, a silent partner came on board and the process of building a reliable, accurate database of medicines started.

THREE-TIER VERIFICATION The app works using a three-tier verification system. Tier one refers to Optical Character Recognition – the method in which the app converts the information in uploaded images into readable and editable text. Tier two analyses key words that indicate how and why this drug is being used, such as ‘dispense’, ‘routine’, ‘daily’, etc.

The third tier of the app analyses the

dosage information provided.

Combined, the data it provides can give a clear picture of how the patient may be using a certain medication. If any error is found in the overall analysis, the tiered structure of the app kicks in to alert the user.

“Take, for example, paracetamol, which typically comes in 500mg tablet form. “If the app reads ‘paracetamol 5,000 milligrams’, it doesn’t matter what tier one and tier two say, the app will throw back an error because tier three is coming up as 5,000 milligrams instead of 500 milligrams,” Declan explained.

Using the tiered structure also E M E RG E N CY S E RVI C E S I R E L AN D

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MEDISNAP TECHNOLOGY

helps to decipher wording on pharmacy-printed labels that may have faded over time. To continue Declan’s example, even if some of the letters of ‘paracetamol’ are no longer legible on the bottle of medicine, other information the app receives, such as contents and dosage, will feed into its database of medicines. As a result, the app will be able to assess that the medicine is likely to be paracetamol.

RELIABLE DATABASE OF MEDICINES Before becoming a paramedic, Declan worked in the pharmaceutical sector for several years. He also had a Bachelor of Science degree in computer programming.

All of these experiences and skills have proved useful in his new venture.

Ensuring the app has a vast and reliable database of medicines has been a key element of its success to date.

When Declan first began sharing the app with other paramedics in its ‘beta’ mode, the feedback he received from them was invaluable.

“If a paramedic contacts me now and says, ‘this tablet isn't on it’ I'm delighted, because I know that what we're doing is working, and I'll get that medication put on the database,” he said.

“Our system is not just pulling rubbish from the ether and firing it out. We're controlling what it's gathering, and we have the checks in place.”

POSITIVE USER FEEDBACK As MediSnap continues to gain popularity, feedback from users has given its owners ideas for further innovations to improve its usability and usefulness. “We've just recently opened up the database for a search, so users can do a quick reference for a medication now instead of scanning it.”

The database currently contains over 2,000 medications, including data on variations in brand names as generic versions of common treatments emerge. The app is also able to read information in other languages such as Spanish and Ukrainian, including the Cyrillic alphabet.

“If you type in the name of the medication, it'll come back with the indications and contraindications – when to give it and when not to give it. That's very handy as quick reference guide for the emergency services,” Declan added.

Information included in the database has been taken from sources directly linked to pharmacists as well as official medicine lists from Ireland’s Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA). Other features added through user feedback include options to include a patient’s allergies, edit dosage information, and changes to the number of images that can be uploaded per patient.

“Initially you're only able to take one photo per patient, but you might have a nursing home that has four pages (of medical information per patient). For every photo taken, the app had been reading it as a different patient.

“Now you can upload as many pictures as you want, and they’ll be added into the patient’s profile. The text the app provides can be copied so you can have it on your phone’s notepad app. If you're going in for a clinical handover, you'll have everything there.”

The app also has an option to download the patient’s information onto a PDF which can then be printed out when necessary. “This is coming from my own experience of going into houses, and family members having a handwritten list of medications – they're protecting it like it is gold dust. They don't give it to you, because it is the only one they have.”

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HUGE INTERNATIONAL INTEREST Since a beta version of MediSnap was released online, the app has been downloaded thousands of times, not just in Ireland, but as far afield as the US, South Africa and across Europe. The app’s website (Medisnap.ie) has been viewed around 250,000 times by 19,000 unique users to date.

MediSnap is available on the Apple store and Google Play, and around 25,000 images have been uploaded and scanned through the app so far. To comply with data protection regulations, the images remain saved on the user’s phone, and cannot be accessed by Declan or others working on the app.

Due to the international appeal of MediSnap, any drug indications or contradictions it outlines may differ from guidelines given by the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC), the organisation that sets out the standards of care for Irish ambulance personnel.

“When you get the indications or the contraindications, they may be different from what PHECC have on file, but we point that out. You must accept the terms and conditions before you can use the app. We’re making the practitioner take responsibility for how they're using the app. We cannot stress enough that it's not to lead how you treat your patient.”

REGULATORY APPROVAL In the future, Declan hopes to get approval for the app from the HPRA. He is currently in discussions with Enterprise Ireland to see if funding can be provided for a regulatory expert to work with him on assuring that the app meets all of the required standards.

The app is classified as an educational device, but regulatory approval would allow its owners to promote the technology as a medical tool. Jumping this hurdle would open the door to Declan pitching the app to the Health Service Executive (HSE) here in Ireland, and other similar agencies across the world.

With greater investment and further success, Declan hopes that he will in time be able to expand MediSnap with the rollout of a consumer-focused version of the app.

“MediSnap Home would be suitable for someone with elderly patients or relatives,” he explained. “My own father was very ill. He’s since passed away. However, even as a paramedic and knowing the conditions, but I was getting flustered when an ambulance came to the house.”

Similar to the version designed for medical professionals, MediSnap Home would allow users to upload and scan images of medicine lists and packaging.

“Information provided by the app could then be sorted into categories and edited, as prescriptions and doses change, for an individual’s loved ones.”

Declan believes that this could be particularly useful for carers and healthcare assistants, including those who visit multiple patients in their homes every day. “When family members ring for an ambulance, it's a normal day for us, but it’s panic stations for them. Having this information written out and available would help a lot of people.”

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SECURITY THREATS UNDER SCRUTINY Is Ireland Set to Host EU Presidency?

Ireland is preparing to host the EU Council Presidency in July and will need competent, prepared rapid-response teams to address any potential ransomware or service outages. Security and safety aviation consultant Kevin Byrne examines several security threats and dangers on the horizon and considers some preparedness strategies to be deployed by the state agencies.

I

reland will host the rotating EU Council Presidency, commencing on 1 July 2026, and will be the location for a myriad of council meetings and legislative processes.

Over six months, this country will host as many as 50 heads of state and government chiefs. Furthermore, as part of a programme exceeding 250 events, many more ministers, officials and delegates will be in attendance in disparate locations across the land.

Without doubt, the prominence and scale of the national task will increase the security profile of Ireland and may serve to magnify the obvious vulnerabilities, especially in the current climate of hybrid, cyber and geopolitical threats.

PHYSICAL THREATS Let us examine the physical security threats that may arise. Under the heading of terrorism and ‘insider attacks’, we could include the violent extremists who perceive high profile EU events as worthy of attack.

Indeed, any open venues, organised public protests, and general enhanced public visibility, expand potential avenues for kinetic attack.

In very recent times, a significant new risk has emerged in the shape

A significant new risk to emerge are drones, which may be designed for surveillance missions, general disruption or a kinetic threat to gatherings, airports or delegations. of the unmanned aerial systems (drones), which may be designed for surveillance missions, general disruption or even, in the worstcase scenario, a kinetic threat to gatherings, airports or delegations.

We would be foolish to disregard the five drones which were seen under the flight path of President Zelenskiy’s Airbus as it flew into Dublin Airport late last year. It is a source of some regret, not that the naval vessel did not engage any of these objects with targeted heavy machine gun fire, but that the source of these five aircraft was neither identified nor pursued by any agency, national or foreign.

As an island nation, Ireland’s open maritime approaches may be exploited by the hybrid threats, especially those from shadow fleet vessels which, in other EU waters, have launched drones with impunity or conducted calculated sabotage by dragging anchors in shallow waters.

It remains essential that we have as

comprehensive a picture as possible of littoral traffic, identified or otherwise.

On the home front, that is on land, history shows that major summits can attract both peaceful protests and serious disruptive action. As regards sudden unrest, what spring to mind are the Dublin Riots of November 2023, covered live on American TV reports and elsewhere, and the violence that erupted at the asylum residences in Saggart, Co. Dublin, in late 2025.

Social media plays a major part in the escalation of civil unrest in a democracy and cannot be underestimated.

DIGITAL DANGERS As has been seen in recent times, hostile actors, perhaps statesponsored, may conduct cyber espionage, the harvesting of personal documentation, malware, ransomware or related deniable operations against the Irish government and related EU networks. We would be naive to believe that our declared neutrality would, in any real way, E M E RG E N CY S E RVI C E S I R E L AN D

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EU COUNCIL PRESIDENCY

provide protection from the attention of those who seek to harm us.

High-impact targets for disruption or sabotage are readily identifiable and include, inter alia, transport systems, energy grids, telecommunications networks not to mention government websites or summit support IT systems.

We well remember the effective attack on the Health Service Executive some years ago, allegedly a ransomware effort by criminals.

Furthermore, disinformation or “influence” operations may advocate misleading narratives in order to undermine public confidence in the Irish presidency, specific policy outcomes or even EU unity. The support staffs, the numerous service suppliers and the delegations themselves risk phishing or targeted interventions likely designed to compromise local or EU systems.

HYBRID THREATS We would be wise to consider hybrid threats and espionage, involving blended state action short of overt warfare. The espionage element would involve targeting policy priorities, negotiation positions or even classified documents prepared in advance.

Doubtless, information gathering by hostile intelligence agencies is already in hand, while the exploitation of supply chain vulnerabilities in EUrelated contractors and businesses is well underway.

PREPAREDNESS STRATEGIES Apropos of the physical aspects of the threat, there is an urgent need to deploy robust, proven counterdrone systems at all sensitive sites,

Major summits can attract both peaceful protests and serious disruptive action; such as the Dublin Riots of November 2023, covered live on American TV reports and elsewhere. (Pic: Wikipedia) including capabilities for detection, jamming and interception. While the acquisition of systems is already in hand, accelerated procurement and training are essential.

As has been the practice in recent times, the establishment of no-fly zones both for manned and unmanned aerial systems around event locations will be the norm; collaboration with civil aviation stakeholders in order to enforce restrictions are best done long before the effective dates.

However, a sticking point that requires early resolution concerns the Rules of Engagement. Armed

All overseas participants will arrive by air, but this will not deflect us from the continually monitoring of maritime approaches and land access routes to detect suspicious activity.

personnel, be they ground-based or airborne, must be in no doubt as to when they may open fire in order to protect the designated location.

Surely it was a short-sighted decision to disband, in 2012, the sole air defence regiment in the Defence Forces, equipped as it was with radar directed firepower, including guns and missiles?

As regards the security tailored to summit sites, the usual, proven standard operational procedures will apply, involving secure cordons, identity screening, vehicle inspections and, of course, physical barriers.

All of the overseas participants will arrive by air, but this will not deflect us from the continuous monitoring of maritime approaches and land access routes in order to detect suspicious activity.

The adoption of IT resilience and acceptable cybersecurity will require the adoption of best practice defensive architecture, so that firewalls, segmentation, threat detection and end user protection all have a part to play.

All vendors providing services to summit operations must adopt the prescribed cybersecurity protocols without exception. Partnerships with EU cyber agencies, national organisations and Europol would be E M E RG E N CY S E RVI C E S I R E L AN D

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well advised so as to share emerging threat information.

All committed state agencies must engage with civil society to support lawful protests while planning for escalation management in an early effort to defuse possible volatility. Concurrent with this, pre-emptive public diplomacy may be employed to counter misinformation or false narratives, particularly where the latter originates overseas. It is wise to inform public and business communities about security protocols to reduce vulnerability to social engineering or misinformation.

ALLIED SUPPORT Ireland, though a small neutral member of the EU, is not alone: we must enter agreements for shared radar and aerial surveillance assets, request anti-drone and air defence support from larger EU countries and embed liaison officers (police and military) with EU and external security services so that we may enhance joint situational awareness.

Though it may be anathema to certain parliamentarians, there could be participation in EU joint exercises emphasising summit protection, hybrid threat response and civil-military coordination.

FINAL OBSERVATIONS Without undue delay, we need competent, prepared rapid-response teams with remediation solutions to

address ransomware or service outages. In addition, a unified command and control structure is essential, led

by An Garda Síochána, incorporating close co-ordination with the Defence Forces, civil authorities and EU partners.

Above all, we must ensure that the legal frameworks to permit the use of defensive technologies (e.g. counterUAS equipment) without procedural delay are in place.

Three anomalies, worthy of mention, that distinguish Ireland from our EU partners: (1) We are incapable of defending or even monitoring our sovereign airspace (though this may change in 2030), (2) We have had a part-time Minister for Defence for many years and, (3) For reasons that have never been explained, we have never had a civilian-led Secret Service since the foundation of the State.

“

“

As an island nation, Ireland’s open maritime approaches may be exploited by hybrid threats, especially those from shadow fleet vessels which, in other EU waters, have launched drones with impunity or conducted calculated sabotage by dragging anchors in shallow waters.

All vendors providing services to summit operations must adopt prescribed cybersecurity protocols without exception.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Kevin Byrne Lt Col (Retired), Security and Safety Aviation Consultant took early retirement from the Air Corps in 2012 having served in many command and staff appointments at Baldonnel.

He holds a BA degree, an MSc in Airport Planning and Management and is a Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport.

Following retirement, he spent seven years lecturing part-time in Dublin City University and Coventry University. He remains a regular contributor to radio and television programmes on aviation topics, both at home and abroad.

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IRELAND’S EU PRESIDENCY

Ireland’s Security Strategies Appear to be Still Up in the Air! Ireland’s dependency on security is a permanent condition, and if the country cannot secure its own skies during an EU Presidency, it implicitly leans on others such as NATO states, neighbouring air forces, or ‘ad hoc’ assistance. That’s not co-operation, that’s dependency, which over time becomes a strategic vulnerability, writes Independent Senator Gerard Craughwell.

I

am fortunate to have advisors with granular knowledge and lived experience of national and international affairs, particularly in the realm of security, defence, international treaties/conventions, minority and human rights, the law of armed conflict, but most especially the duties and obligations of countries that declare themselves to be sovereign and neutral. Central to those responsibilities is national resilience across a broad spectrum.

The Montevideo Convention was nested in the 7th International Conference of American States, signed on 26 December 1933. It became operational on 26 December 1934, established the standard definition of a sovereign state in Customary International Law. Crucially, for newly independent Ireland, it was registered in the League of Nations Treaty Series on 8 January 1936. Ireland was wedded to the League of Nations and was an enthusiastic and committed member prior to its demise.

Article One of the Convention notes: “The state as a person of international law should possess the following qualification: (a) a permanent population; (b) a defined territory; (c) government; and (d) capacity to enter into relations with other states”. Further on at Article 3 it states, “inter alia…. the state has the right to defend its integrity and independence, to provide for its conservation and prosperity, and consequently to organise itself as it sees fit……”.

As a consequence, it is obligatory for states to control its borders on land, at sea, and in the air. Ireland does not have the ability to do so. By extension, Ireland is an Independent State, but it is most certainly doesn’t qualify as a Sovereign State.

Nor is it a neutral state as defined in the Hague Conventions, 1907, where the duties and obligations of states who declare neutrality are codified in Customary International Law. Ireland needs to urgently read the 1933 Montevideo Convention on the Rights and Duties of States.

LACK OF ANTI-DRONE CAPABILITIES On RTE’s ‘PRIMETIME ’ programme on 3 February, Neale Redmond TD, Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora, debated with the former Independent TD Cathal Berry on Ireland’s resilience in anti-drone defence currently, with a particular focus on protecting our major airports and airfields in advance of hosting the EU Presidency from July to December 2026.

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It transpired to being a no-contest, much like “a penalty kick without a goalkeeper” for the Army Ranger Wing veteran Berry against a novice like Richmond, reading from a prepared script given him most likely by amateurish mandarins in the Department of Defence with the shallowest knowledge of such matters.

Richmond suggested there was leading-edge anti-drone operational capability at Dublin Airport. There is no such capability there. However, what’s there is a low-level kit which hasn’t been stress tested in credible no-warning exercises overseen by seasoned veterans in operational drone technology.

Furthermore, the Minister then erroneously cited that Ireland is spending €19m to acquire leadingedge anti-drone equipment in advance of our EU Presidency for our airports. What he didn’t know, but was politely informed by Cathal Berry, was that this €19m was for equipment at Casement Aerodrome Baldonnel solely, and this was not mobile. Dublin, Shannon, Cork and Knock airports will not have adequate anti-drone capability anytime soon.

DEFENCE AND SECURITY PROFOUNDLY MISUNDERSTOOD Defence and security are two terms that are profoundly misunderstood in Ireland.

What is not known widely, or granularly, is that uniquely in developed democracies not alone are our Gardaí double hatted – being the police service and national

intelligence service of the state – but the Defence Forces are triple hatted being tasked with conventional defence roles, in addition to the ‘Aid to the Civil Power’ and ‘Aid to the Civil Authority’ roles.

In total, the Defence Forces has 42 mandated tasks from the Irish government on land, at sea and in the air. However, it has never resourced the Defence Forces with the budget and resources to fulfil those taskings.

Dan O’Brien is one of Ireland’s most respected economic analysts, known for cutting through political comfort and confronting hard

Airports at Dublin, Shannon, Cork and Knock lack adequate anti-drone capabilities.

realities. A Chief Economist at the Institute of International European Affairs (IIEA), he has repeatedly highlighted Ireland’s strategic blind spots – from defence to energy security – and his work is rooted in data, not wishful thinking. His recent critique of defence spending is part of a broader call for Ireland to face the geopolitical world as it is, not as we might prefer it to be.

GEOPOLITICAL UNCERTAINTIES This decades’ old neglect has now come back to haunt the state with today’s geopolitical and security uncertainties, hybrid attacks and terrorism. This isn’t just about drones or the EU Presidency, it’s about what Ireland looks like, naked, in front of its peers.

Strategic risks clearly signal a soft target perception. If Ireland cannot secure its own airspace for high profile events, it quietly advertises itself as a soft target, not just for terrorism, but for coercion, disruption, and hybrid tactic, GPS jamming, drone incursions, intimidation of political processes.

Our deterrence value is close to zero. Deterrence isn’t only about weapons; it’s about whether a hostile actor believes a state can detect, respond, and impose costs. A state that publicly admits: “We can’t secure beyond Baldonnel” is signalling that its detection and response capacity is thin, patchy, and predictable.

Ireland’s security dependency is a permanent condition. If Ireland cannot secure its own skies during an E M E RG E N CY S E RVI C E S I R E L AN D

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E M E RG E N CY S E RVI C E S I R E L AN D

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events quietly moved away from Irish soil, more reliance on others for unseen security backstopping, more internal tension between the image of a modern European state and the reality of 20th century security and defence structures.

Eventually, the gap between image and reality becomes impossible to ignore, usually after a scare, a near miss, or an incident.

Whether it’s the cutting of undersea cables, the rupture of gas pipelines, or another outbreak of ‘Foot and Mouth’ disease in Northern Ireland, to name but a few. These scenarios serve to illustrate the persistent vulnerabilities that may upend stability with very little warning.

Ireland’s Defence Forces are triple hatted – tasked with conventional defence roles, in addition to ‘Aid to the Civil Power’ and ‘Aid to the Civil Authority’ roles.

EU Presidency, it implicitly leans on others; NATO states, neighbouring air forces, or ad hoc assistance. That’s not co-operation, that’s dependency, which over time becomes a strategic vulnerability. Hybrid pressure becomes easier.

You don’t need to attack Ireland to pressure it. You just need to show that you could disrupt a major EU event on Irish soil. That alone can be enough to shape behaviour, create caution, and make a small state second guess its positions. There is inevitable political fallout, at home and in Brussels.

At home it beckons a reckoning with the security/defence fiction.

Domestically, this kind of exposure forces a question that politicians have dodged for decades.

Is Ireland willing to pay the real cost of sovereignty? Sovereignty without the ability to secure your own territory is merely symbolic and not real.

LOSS OF CREDIBILITY FOR IRELAND In Brussels there’s a quiet loss of credibility for Ireland. Other member states won’t publicly humiliate us, but behind closed doors, the conclusion is simple; Ireland is reliable on values and diplomacy but unreliable on security and capacity. It shapes who’s listened to when security, defence, strategic autonomy are discussed.

In future negotiations it inevitably leads to less weight on security topics. When Ireland speaks about EU defence or security guarantees others will remember ‘this is the country that couldn’t secure its own Presidency meetings’. Ireland won’t be ignored,

but its voice carries less weight.

How are the other EU states likely to interpret this? The big states such as France, Germany, Italy and Spain will see this as confirmation of a long standing pattern. Some member states treat defence as optional, then expect solidarity when things go wrong. It reinforces the argument that serious security decisions will be made by a core group, not all 27 equally.

The frontline states of Poland, the Baltics (Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania) and the Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden) are living under direct Russian pressure.

They invest heavily in air defence, cyber, and resilience because they have no choice. Ireland’s situation looks almost surreal, and its visible gaps will be read as a luxury mindset, one that is increasingly out of step with the security reality in Europe.

UTTERLY UNDER-EQUIPPED STATE Neutrality without capability looks less like a policy and more like neglect.

The deeper narrative is a state that never expected to be tested. What this whole episode really exposes is a story Ireland has told itself for decades – geography is protection, goodwill is a shield, “we’re not a target” is a strategy.

The EU Presidency, with its visiting ministers and heightened profile, quietly tears that story apart. For once, Ireland is not just a bystander to global events, it’s a stage. And that stage, is utterly under equipped.

Where does this lead to if nothing changes? If Ireland shrugs this off, the trajectory is pretty clear; more

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Senator Gerard P. Craughwell, recently elected in the 27th Seanad, is an Irish independent politician who has served as a senator for the Labour Panel since April 2016.

He was previously a senator for the Cultural and Educational Panel from 2014 to 2016.

Born in Galway, Craughwell emigrated to the UK at 16, where he joined the Royal Irish Rangers, a regiment of the British Army. After five years, he returned to Ireland, joined the Irish Defence Forces, and rose to the rank of sergeant.

He later pursued further and higher education, obtaining a BSc in economics from the London School of Economics and Political Science and a Post Graduate Diploma in Computing at the University of Limerick.

Craughwell's political career began with his election to the Seanad in a 2014 By-election.

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Counting Down to our Days of Reckoning During EU Presidency Ireland assumes the six-month rotating Presidency of the European Council on 1 July, and once again will be seeking a bailout from EU partners, in terms of security and defence, as the country finds itself in damage control mode, scrambling for a last-minute solution to avoid an even bigger crisis, writes Dr Cathal Berry.

T

he world has changed dramatically since Ireland last took up this role in 2013. The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the Trump Administration’s hostility towards Greenland, have ensured that defence and security considerations are now paramount across the EU. This presents a significant challenge to Ireland on two fronts. The first is political, the second is practical.

On the political front, Ireland’s reputation as a reliable partner and credible security actor is now under the microscope. Ireland places little emphasis on its own security obligations and adopts a minimalistic approach to defence engagement with international partners. Consequently, there are significant gaps in Ireland’s defence expertise both at a political and institutional level. This will

invariably undermine credibility whilst chairing summits, as forging detailed compromises is a key function of the rotating presidency.

Perhaps more pressing still are the practical considerations. The deliberate interference with Denmark’s EU presidency has raised concerns that the same meddling may occur here. Suspicious drone sightings during President Zelensky’s visit to Dublin last December have not been reassuring.

Particularly as the State apparatus appeared completely incapable of responding to even this relatively minor security incident.

Since 2022 other EU countries have upgraded their military capability in the wake of Russia’ s invasion of Ukraine. The number of Irish troops, however, has fallen by a further 7% during this time.

Air Corps Fouga Magister jet aircraft provided a limited air policing capability up to 1998.

Incredibly, we now have 500 less troops than we did even four years ago. Our Naval Service lacks any underwater capability to protect our critical seabed infrastructure, our Air Corps cannot even monitor our airspace let alone intercept rogue aircraft, while the Army’s specialised Air Defence Regiment was inexplicably disbanded in 2012 despite protestations from the military.

Furthermore, the Defence Forces Cyber Command, launched with great fanfare in 2025, consists of only three soldiers. Once again, we must distinguish between rhetoric and reality. From a hybrid perspective, Ireland is a sitting duck. So, how did it come to this?

APPALLING POLITICAL GOVERNANCE The political governance of our armed forces has been appalling.

The downgrading of both the senior and junior Defence ministers to part-time roles in 2012 demonstrates the complete lack of attention and prioritisation given to defence and security matters.

Furthermore, the allocated budget is so small that 60% of it goes on salaries and pensions, leaving precious little for the conduct of operations and crucial capital investment.

Despite being deployed in an active drone zone in South Lebanon for years, our Defence Forces still do not possess a single piece of counterdrone equipment.

Unlike the Garda Commissioner, the Defence Forces Chief of Staff does not have the powers of an accounting officer, so he cannot

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E M E RG E N CY S E RVI C E S I R E L AN D

IRELAND’S EU PRESIDENCY

authorise even minor projects.

Consequently, any procurement must go through layers of departmental bureaucracy before equipment can be purchased. Indeed, the absence of a hands-on minister to provide political direction and drive progress further compounds this problem.

While limited counter-drone equipment is supposed to arrive

by September, multiple missed procurement delivery deadlines do not inspire confidence. Even if the technology belatedly arrives, there is a big difference between having it and being proficient in its use. Giving someone a guitar does not make them a musician. It takes months to achieve proficiency and years to achieve mastery. Military equipment is no different.

Furthermore, unlike Denmark, Ireland has no direct road or rail links to the rest of the EU. We are utterly dependent on our airspace to facilitate the safe arrival of visiting heads of government. Ireland is the only EU country without a primary radar system and the Air Corps’ subsonic jets, which had an air policing capability, were retired from service in 1998.

Incredibly, Ireland insisted from the manufacturer that the two maritime surveillance aircraft recently delivered to the Air Corps would be unarmed.

This is akin to equipping the Garda Síochána’s Emergency Response Unit with just notebooks and pens. I could go on but you get the picture!

Not only do our airport perimeters need to be secured, but so too must the aerial approaches to our island home. The official one-day visit in early December by Ukraine’s President

Giraffe military radars from the Army’s Air Defence Regiment, which was disbanded in 2012.

Volodymir Zelensky visit further exposed how poorly resourced our Naval Service just is. It has no air search radar, no modern night vision equipment and no missiles for selfdefence. Its ships’ weapons systems are 50 years old and were deliberately purchased second-hand to save money as the allocated budget was so inadequate.

NO NATIONAL SECURITY STRATEGY With such meagre assets at Ireland’s

LE Eithne was built in Cork and was equipped with a helideck, hull mounted sonar and an air surveillance radar. She was decommissioned in 2022

disposal the least that the public might expect is that they be carefully co-ordinated. This, of course, is not the case. The absence of a National Security Strategy was self-evident during the Zelensky visit. Such a strategy would outline clear lines of demarcation between the various state security agencies promoting trust, mutual understanding and inter-agency co-operation. It would also update the current rules of engagement which date from the ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Dr Cathal Berry is a medical doctor, former independent TD and a former Irish special forces officer. He has deployed operationally on multiple overseas peace support operations to the Balkans, Africa and the Middle East, working with the United Nations, NATO and the European Union. He is a regular media commentator on geopolitics, diplomacy and national security, and continues to advocate for better employment conditions for military personnel and their families.

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IRELAND’S EU PRESIDENCY

1980s. These rules reflect the internal security priorities of However, under which law and on whose authority they that time, rather than modern hybrid warfare scenarios. open fire, should the situation warrant it, remains unclear.

Indeed, the current situation is reminiscent of the run-up It is completely normal for a host nation to accept to our financial crisis in 2008. In the preceding years our minor assistance to augment an existing capability. Yet it’s European partners warned us consistently of the risks we completely abnormal to expect neighbouring countries to were accumulating. Our economy was overheating, our repeatedly donate a basic service that we have not bothered banks were lending recklessly, and our housing market was to provide for ourselves. Hardly the actions of a supposedly out of control. proud, independent and sovereign republic. Ireland can and We knew better of course. We believed in Irish must do better. exceptionalism.

Somehow the laws of economics did not apply to us.

We all know how that hubris ended.

A strategic shock from which we have yet to fully recover. Incredibly nearly two decades later we are repeating the same mistakes.

Once again Irish authorities are asleep at the wheel, but this time it’s in the realm of geo-politics rather than economics.

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INVESTMENT IN JUSTICE

Over €2bn Investment Secured Under Five-Year Justice Plan Over €2 billion has been approved for the Sectoral Investment Plan for Justice which will support increased prison capacity, the opening of new Garda stations and new courthouses and further investment in the National Cyber Security Centre. The five-year plan will also deliver key technology for the Gardaí, the Department of Justice and the wider justice sector.

T

he five-year funding allocation of €2.18 billion negotiated by Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration Jim O’Callaghan, under the recent National Development Plan (NDP) Review, will support major capital projects in the justice sector from 2026-2030.

It represents an increase of over €800 million on the previous NDP in 2021 and is the largest ever capital investment plan in the history of the State. Minister O’Callaghan said that the allocation of €2.18 billion for the Justice Sector Capital Plan will have “a transformative impact on the justice sector over the next five years”.

He added that this plan sets out strategic investment priorities and outlines key capital projects to keep the public safe and enhance the security of the State. Priority projects will be delivered by the Department of Justice, An Garda Síochána, the Irish Prison Service, the Courts Service and Fiosrú (Ireland’s Police Ombudsman's Office).

The Minister noted that this “record funding for capital development is essential and will deliver a wide range of major projects across the country”.

INCREASED PRISON CAPACITY A total of €495m will be allocated to the Irish Prison Service (IPS) from 2026-2030 to further increase prison capacity. Construction projects are being planned at Castlerea, Cloverhill, Mountjoy, Portlaoise, Wheatfield, Midlands, Dóchas and Old Cork prisons during this period.

It will also include planning for the construction of a new prison at Thornton Hall in North County Dublin, while an additional €32m will be provided to fund technology and fleets for the prison service.

Minister O’Callaghan added: “The Government has approved a record investment in capital funding to deliver on my commitment to accelerate the delivery of more than 1,500 additional prison spaces by 2031.”

He announced that he has secured the funding to help alleviate overcrowding, noting that “the Irish Prison Service has a strong track record in delivering projects, with over 190 additional spaces delivered in the last 18 months”.

INVESTMENT IN GARDA TECHNOLOGY New investment of €460m in Garda technology will allow for the full national roll-out of body worn cameras and a digital evidence management system. Substantial investments in cyber security, the development of policing systems, and the development of new HR and corporate ICT systems will also be delivered.

“The additional funding to support the nationwide rollout of body worn cameras for An Garda Síochána, along with a state-of-the-art digital evidence management system, is critical to protect frontline Gardaí and prevent criminal activity.

A second new helicopter will be delivered this year to significantly enhance surveillance, search and public order capabilities.

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Emergency Services Driving Standard Education and its wider value (ESDS) When we speak of creating or developing an attitude of mind, we are landed in the field of education. What then are we to understand by the word ‘education’ in the context of road safety or collision prevention? It surely implies correct information, tuition, and training for everyone that forms part of the stream of movement on our streets and roads. Applied to road safety we would endeavour to define education as the imparting of knowledge with a view to creating or developing an attitude of mind about driving that will manifest itself in agreement with what has been learned and driving behaviour that reflects the attitude.

It is important to point out that a multi- disciplined approach is needed: for example, information that is absorbed as knowledge must be put to work while behind the wheel and training in personal responsibility must be accepted.

The ESDS initiative is a large and significant investment in Road Safety in Ireland. ESDS using the System of Vehicle control as detailed below will not only educate our emergency services drivers in relation to collision prevention but will also instill the understanding of what collision prevention means - the object of educating is not so much to protect them from danger continually, as to enable them to live in a dangerous world without losing their enjoyment of driving . Such an attitude is educational in outlook.

Information on road safety initiatives such as the Emergency Services Driving Standard (ESDS) must be communicated to all who are affected: but information even when adequate and concise in form, may not be enough; the trainers and drivers must grasp at least some of the reasoning that lies behind the initiative. Failing to understand the core elements of ESDS the trainers and drivers will not develop a proper attitude and their behaviour may continue to be irresponsible.

A total of 7,821 emergency service drivers certified to higher driving standard since 2014.

The objective of the ESDS is to educate people in road safety, to develop in the individual an attitude of mind and a sense of personal responsibility not merely for their actions but also for the consequences of their actions.

A total of 7,821 (January 2025) emergency service drivers have been certified to the higher Emergency Services Driving Standard (ESDS) since the initiative was introduced in 2014.

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INVESTMENT IN JUSTICE

Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration Jim O’Callaghan recently announced a five-year funding allocation of €2.18 billion to support major capital projects in the justice sector from 2026-2030.

“Highly successful pilot projects have been operating in Dublin City, Waterford and Limerick. Body worn cameras are not only curbing public aggression and preventing crime, the evidential value of footage also helps to secure convictions in court,” the Minister noted.

Investment of €364m in Garda buildings will see the completion of new Garda stations in Portlaoise, Newcastle West, Bailieborough this year and in early 2027. It will also support construction work on new Garda stations in Macroom, Clonmel, Castletroy and Carndonagh, in addition to a new HQ for the Dublin North Region.

The Garda College in Templemore is also to receive a significant investment, which the Minister said will “support the Government’s target of recruiting an additional 5,000 Gardaí”. Funding of €35m will also be provided to roll out a programme of minor refurbishment works at other Garda stations around the country.

This investment, he noted, will ensure that stations receive improvements in accessibility and essential infrastructure, to maintain safe, functional and fit-for-purpose stations. It will cover stations in Greystones, Dungarvan, Sligo, Mayostone, Bandon, Bridgend, Ferns and Cork Airport.

An Garda Síochána will be provided with €69m for investment in expansion, modernisation, diversification and electrification of the fleet over the next five years.

A second new helicopter will also be delivered this year, significantly enhancing surveillance, search and public order capabilities. Funding will also be provided to further develop its drone technology, as well as accommodation for the equine and canine units.

IMMIGRATION SERVICE DELIVERY Minister of State with special responsibility for International Law, Law Reform and Youth Justice, Niall Collins welcomed the significant capital allocation to Garda resources.

“Having a well-equipped, wellresourced, police force with cutting edge technology is fundamental in

The third and final phase of the Body Worn Camera (BWC) pilot programme for Gardaí, was launched in Waterford in October 2024.

THE KEY FUNDING ALLOCATIONS: * €528m to deliver the Prisons Capital Plan which includes nearly €500m to provide more than 1,500 prison spaces. * €364m investment in Garda buildings and €460m in digital systems including body worn cameras. * A new approach to investing in the security of the State with €200m for a modern security headquarters, new technology for national and border security, the National Cyber Security Centre and new National Security Authority. * €369m funding for the Courts Service for courthouses and technology. * Funding for a new mortuary in Dublin. * €200m to develop stateowned accommodation for immigration purposes. * €81m major digital investment across the Department and justice agencies to support a modern immigration system.

Investment in the Irish Prison Service will include the planning construction of a new prison at Thornton Hall in North County Dublin, E M E RG E N CY S E RVI C E S I R E L AN D

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Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) by providing meeting that challenge. This allocation means that Gardaí in both rural and urban areas will be resourced with the additional state-owned accommodation facilities. technology necessary to take on criminality in every form, In addition to funding ongoing public-private both physical and virtual.” partnership (PPP) payments, the new NDP will see the Minister of State for Migration, Colm Brophy, referred construction, via PPP, of the new Dublin Family Courts to the additional resources for the Immigration Service at Hammond Lane which will replace existing outdated Delivery unit and the allocation of €200m funding to venues and facilities with a more family friendly and support the development of state- accommodation for secure building. Construction will also start on a new immigration purposes.

Courthouse in Tralee, Co. Kerry.

“This funding will enable the immigration modernisation programme to be completed, and help deliver a firm, fair and effective immigration The Castlebar Municipal District system which is fit for purpose. It will leave us ready to deliver on the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum.”

This pact is a comprehensive package of ten legislative acts designed to reform how the EU manages migration, with a firm implementation deadline of 12 June 2026. Ireland officially opted into seven of these measures, aiming to streamline asylum processing, strengthen Mayo County Council external borders, and introduce Áras an Chontae a mandatory, Castlebar, Co. Mayo solidarity-based system.

094 9064000 Minister www.mayo.ie Brophy noted that this will enable the State Mayo.ie Mayo.ie to reduce its dependence on commercial premises and secure lower costs within International

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DEFENCE FORCES

Record €1.7 Billion National Development Plan for Defence A new National Development Plan, which has set out the Government’s €1.7 billion capital investment in defence over the next five years, was unveiled by Minister for Defence Helen McEntee TD during her first official visit to the Defence Forces Training Centre at the Curragh Camp last December.

T

he Defence Sectoral National Development Plan (NDP) 2026-2030 represents an increase of €600 million (or 55%) on the previous capital expenditure. The €1.7 billion investment aims to modernise Defence Forces capability across all domains and ensure that Ireland continues to meet its national and international security responsibilities.

During her first official visit to the Defence Forces Training Centre on 18 December 2025, since taking office, Minister for Defence Helen McEntee TD highlighted that

Minister for Defence Helen McEntee TD pictured during her first official visit to the Defence Forces Training Centre at the Curragh Camp on 18 December 2025.

Air Corps modernisation, including: * Four Airbus H145M helicopters (2027–2028) * Progress on acquiring eight Super Medium Helicopters * Delivery of a new Falcon 6X strategic aircraft * Naval Service upgrades, including Towed Array Sonar, a Sonobuoy project, and the P60 Fleet Extension Programme Army capability improvements, including: * Midlife upgrade of 80 MOWAG Piranha III vehicles * Progression of the Armoured Fleet Replacement * Acquisition of RPAS/drones * Rollout of Software Defined Radios * €400 million investment in Defence Forces infrastructure, including accommodation, offices, gyms, aircraft hangars and naval berthage * €175 million for IT, transport, engineering and ordnance systems * Strong governance structure, including updated Equipment Development and Infrastructure Development Plans and rigorous procurement oversight

capital funding has increased from €141 million in 2022 to €300 million in 2026, rising further to €360 million in 2029-2030.

The five-year National Development Plan outlines how this investment will tackle capability gaps, modernise infrastructure and support the Defence Forces in delivering the Government’s commitments under Level of Ambition 2 (Enhanced Capability).

Key features under the new plan for the Defence Forces over the next five years will also see major capability upgrades across land, air, maritime and cyber domains, in addition to full delivery of the Military Radar Programme by 2028, with phased rollout beginning in 2026. Finally, ahead of Ireland’s 2026 EU Council Presidency, which starts on 1 July, there will also be a €19m accelerated investment in Counter-UAS systems.

“This is the most significant investment package in the Defence Forces in the history of the State. The changed geopolitical landscape since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has made it clear that we must continuously improve and strengthen our defence capabilities,” noted the Minister for Defence.

She said that she now intends to prioritise the actions necessary to achieve this. “To remain effective, we must work effectively with our partners and ensure we can respond swiftly.' This plan will deliver the equipment, infrastructure and capabilities needed by our Defence Forces to operate safely and effectively, at home and overseas.

“We now have the plan and the funding in place and my focus is firmly on delivery so that we can build a stronger, more modern and more resilient Defence Forces for the future.''

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DEFENCE FORCES

Drone Technology Continues to SHAPE THE BATTLE SPACE As UAV and drone technology continues to evolve at an unprecedented speed, shaping both the intelligence and battle spaces, the Irish Defence Forces Artillery School is maintaining and evolving the capability of this technology. Lieutenant Cillian Moran, Official Instructor of the Artillery School, discusses current and future capabilities and gives some updates on international learnings in this area.

S

ince its inception in 1931, the Defence Forces Artillery School has been the fulcrum of training and capability development within the Artillery Corps and continues to provide doctrinal guidance and combat deployment direction for Artillery Indirect Fires and Ground Based Air Defence.

Located in Connolly Barracks in Longford, the artillery school forms part of the school landscape of the Military College at the Defence Forces Training Centre (DFTC) in the Curragh Camp, Kildare, and conducts a significant number of artillery specific courses annually. These include career courses such as the Artillery Young Officers, Detachment

Commanders, Artillery Standard Officers and Field Gunnery courses. It also facilitates survey-based courses such as Battery Technical Assistant and Regimental Survey courses.

Other specialised areas of training include long-range Intelligence Surveillance Target Acquisition & Reconnaissance (ISTAR), Ground Based Air Defence (GBAD), Unmanned Aerial Vehicle [UAV] Crew and Operator/Pilot courses. The school also plays a key role in the research and development for capability development procurement and sits on several doctrinal and working groups for Corps and the Defence Forces.

The Artillery School is unique in the sense that it is the only

designated UAV training school outside of the Air Corps’ RPAS Flight School in Baldonnell. The Artillery Corps has the largest UAV fleet in the Defence Forces, consisting of four full Orbiter 2B systems and several DJI Mavic-2 drones.

The basic Remote Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) Operator course is conducted in the school and students are currently tested by the Air Corps UAV Flight School. The mini (M)-UAV Crew and Operator courses aim to qualify personnel as both crew and operators of the Orbiter 2B system. This incorporates three separate intensive weeks of training to be fully qualified as groundcrew and operator pilots respectively.

Artillery personnel prepare the Orbiter 2B before lift-off. It has the longest endurance and range of any UAV in the Defence Forces.

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DEFENCE FORCES

These courses are held annually with a substantial number of personnel from 1BAR, 2BAR and the Artillery School becoming qualified in the use of the system, stemming back to the introduction of the Orbiter system in the mid-2000s.

Training includes a combination of a significant volume of theory coupled with the use of a specialised flight simulation and live flying with the Orbiter system.

In addition to training courses, the majority of fleet maintenance is conducted in the school.

Operationally, there have been several unique Artillery Corps UAV taskings in recent years, varying from overseas deployment, to Aid to Civil Power/Authority (ATCP & ATCA) operations on the island.

CURRENT CAPABILITIES OF UAV The majority of Corps in the Defence Forces has adopted some form of quadcopter or hexcopter or ‘Commercial off the Shelf’ (COTS) variants into their tactics, techniques and procedures, that allow for Line of Sight (LOS) flight to a limited range and altitude.

The Orbiter 2B, which has been in service since 2017, has the distinction of having the longest endurance and range of any UAV in the Defence

Forces. Powered by a lithium-polymer (Li-Po) batteries, the system has long endurance and can operate to ranges in excess of 35km depending on weather limitations.

Once the Ground Data Terminal (GDT) antenna has LOS with the Orbiter’s airborne antenna and when it is within range, the system can be flown manually or programmed to observe areas, or to track and acquire targets. Should this link be broken (a loss of uplink or downlink) for over 15 seconds, the UAV will automatically enter a preset programme, ‘to ensure safe return’.

The Orbiter will land using a combination of an airbag and parachute and may be conducted with or without operator intervention.

The system is controlled by a Personal Controlled Ground Station (PGCS) that allows the operator to take control and manually fly the UAV as required, this feed can directly transmit to a system known as Remote Video Terminal (RVT).

The RVT is essentially a tablet that can be given to the manoeuvre arm commander to observe operations, assisting in a more effectual decisionmaking process. The Orbiter also has a specific Artillery Mode that allows for the operator to assist in ‘Call for Fire’ and Battle Damage Assessment taskings.

As a result, the Orbiter plays a unique role in the overall ISTAR capabilities provided by the Artillery Corps.

The Orbiter has performed numerous taskings both on-island and overseas. It has been directly involved in assisting policing and Defence Forces’ Special Operations in recent years and has also assisted in providing over-the-horizon imagery for multiple career courses and exercises.

The Orbiter is identified as a ‘Class 1 Small Tactical UAV’ in terms of NATO classification and theoretically is a brigade level asset.

It has been regularly deployed for ‘Call for Fire’ taskings on artillery shoots in the Glen of Imaal in Wicklow using the aforementioned ‘Artillery Mode’ function.

Forward observers and UAV operators have acted in conjunction with Battery Command Posts/ Fire Direction Cells to spot target locations, ascertain map detail, observe ‘fall of shot’ and confirm battle damage assessments. The Orbiter has also engaged in Aid to Civil Authority (ATCA) roles assisting in several on-island operations in recent years.

BENEFITS OF THE ORBITER The original Orbiter was deployed to the EUFOR/MINURCAT mission to

On operations such as EUFOR/MINURCAT, UAVs contributed to building a better situational awareness for the mission commanders in the Area of Operations. (Pic: Finnish Defence Ministry)

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Chad between 2008 and 2010 and assisted in patrolling the extensive area of operations on the eastern Chadian border with the Central African Republic (CAR). At the time, many refugees were fleeing the Darfur region of Sudan due to famine, leading to large population groups streaming across the borders of both Chad and the CAR. The Orbiter played a significant role in the locating, protecting and tracking the movement of civilian groups, while also monitoring the ongoing conflict between government and rebel forces in the region. Orbiter flights contributed to building a better situational awareness for the mission commanders in the Area of Operations (AO), proving the benefits of having such an asset in the field.

Orbiter 2B personnel were deployed to the Democratic Republic of the Congo during the MONUSCO mission, patrolling and ensuring a safe and secure environment for the civilian population, until the withdrawal of Defence Forces personnel in 2022.

AID TO CIVIL POWER ROLE The Orbiter 2B has been utilised in an Aid to Civil Power (ATCP) role in recent years, albeit to a lesser extent as the system ages and the availability of COTS systems have increased.

Nonetheless, An Garda Síochána has requested assistance from the Defence Forces on several occasions.

One example has been in drug seizure operations. In such cases, the Orbiter’s (EO/IR) camera proved invaluable. The camera or payload allows the system to operate at night and to locate hidden targets using ‘white/black hot’ technology.

This capability has allowed Garda Divisional Drugs Unit to seize assets with reduced risk to human life and with tactical precision. Such seizures prove the effectiveness of UAV in the planning and executing of ATCP operations.

UAV TECHNOLOGY IN LIVE CONFLICTS Some of the biggest learning points from recent conflicts, such as in Ukraine and Gaza, is the rapid development of both UAV and Counter-UAV (C-UAS/V) technology and how one is always pursuing the other for primacy. Jamming is a key

The Personal Controlled Ground Station (PCGS) allows the operator to take control and manually fly the UAV as requested. part of C-UAV technology; however, UAV manufacturers are proactively developing new and ingenious methods of avoiding both detection and jamming.

The primary means of communication between the UAV and its control station is through radio frequencies, which jammers attempt to sever; 30km spools of fibre-optic cables are now being attached to smaller COTS UAVs, which makes them almost completely impervious to jamming.

Another key learning point is the rapid production and procurement of NATO Class 1 Mini-UAVs to produce ‘swarms’ of ‘strike UAV’. ‘Strike UAV’ often come in the form of simple and replaceable drop UAVs with an ability to drop anything from a grenade to a warhead or First Person View (FPV) UAV that act as a ‘loitering munition’ flying directly into targets.

Essentially, this employs a ‘quantity over quality’ approach to overwhelm enemy air defences and strike vital infrastructure often in the deep rear of the battlespace, affecting the enemy’s ability to co-ordinate a response. The overwhelming majority of casualties in the Ukrainian conflict are as a direct result of UAV action. This is without mentioning dedicated ‘loitering munitions’ such as the Iranian Shahed system, which saw intensive use earlier in the conflict.

FUTURE REQUIREMENTS The Defence Forces is actively examining how best to meet the

capability requirements of the future force in terms of UAVs; UAVs of Tactical, Operational and Strategic class are of interest to the broader Defence Forces.

The ever-changing face of contemporary conflict has proven that UAVs are an essential aspect, that every modern military must attain and develop in order to meet the challenges of global conflicts and Peace Support Operations. The Defence Forces are no exception and therefore, maintaining a robust UAV fleet is an integral part of our development in the coming years.

Any new system will need to be compliant with the NATO BI-SC Capability Codes and PARP for future operations, in conjunction with other European nations and in line with regulations, as outlined by the Irish Aviation Authority and likewise the European Aviation Authority.

There is potential to look at a Vertical Take-off and Landing (VTOL) capability, meaning the UAV would not require a launcher. This may be beneficial for operations in Irish weather or in difficult launching areas where space is at a premium, such as naval vessels. Hand launched UAVs are also a potential option for the intended Tactical UAV replacement with man portable/ lightweight options to the fore.

This article was first published in ‘Winter 2025’ edition of SIGNAL – the official magazine of RACO (Representative Association of Commissioned Officers).

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ROAD SAFETY CONFERENCE

Registration Open for 'Safer Roads' Conference Registration is now open for the 2026 National ‘Safer Roads’ Road Safety Conference & Exhibition in Killarney, Co. Kerry on 11-12 March. This year’s event will once again focus on improving road safety, reducing traffic-related incidents, and sharing knowledge about best practices for safer road use.

N

ow in its second year, the two-day road safety conference will be hosted by Kerry County Council and returns to the Gleneagle Arena in Killarney, Co. Kerry, on Wednesday 11 and Thursday 12 March.

The conference will encompass various strategies and efforts across multiple domains, including road design, engineering, enforcement, technology, education, collision trends, improved mobility, cycling, sustainable travel and the role of AI in road safety overall.

This road safety conference will bring together a wide range of stakeholders and service providers, including road safety and transportation experts, government and local authority officials, roads policing and vehicle inspection agencies, road safety advocates, educators and promoters, collision responders, cycling bodies and community safety networks.

The aim will be to discuss the latest research, strategies, technologies, and policies aimed at reducing road-related collisions, fatalities, and injuries, share resources and ideas and discuss the best way forward to helping improve road safety in Ireland.

• Keynote Speaker – European Transport Safety Council • Eastern Region Road Safety Group • Moyagh Murdock, Chief Executive Officer, Insurance Ireland • Alan O'Reilly Carlow Weather • Síle Ginnane, ESB Road Safety Manager • Nicola Foster, Chairperson, Road Safety Great Britain • Irish Road Victims’ Association • FlineBox - Adelin Jacques de Dixmude

CURRENT LIST OF CONFIRMED SPEAKERS: • Catherine Connolly, President of Ireland • Cllr Michael Foley, Cathaoirleach of Kerry County Council • Fearghal Reidy, Chief Executive, Kerry County Council • Keynote Speaker - Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage • Sam Waide, Chief Executive, Road Safety Authority • Senior Keynote Speaker, An Garda Síochána • Alastair de Beer, Head of Road Safety, Transport Infrastructure Ireland • Anne Shaw, Chief Executive Officer, National Transport Authority

‘SPECIAL RECOGNITION’ AWARD FOR KERRY’S ROAD SAFETY OFFICER Kerry County Council’s Road Safety Officer received a ‘Special Recognition’ award at the 2025 Leading Lights Awards, in recognition of his efforts in managing and co-ordinating the inaugural ‘Safer Roads’ conference in May 2025.

Declan Keogh managed and co-ordinated the road safety conference, which brought together various road safety professionals, stakeholders, businesses and collision responders from across Ireland, the UK, New Zealand, France and Estonia.

The two-day event discussed all aspects of road safety in terms of engineering and design, policing and enforcement, collision response and prevention, education and promotion, data and technology, and active travel.

Pictured during the panel discussion at the road safety conference on 28 May 2025 (l-r): Eimear Ní Bhraonáin, Broadcaster and Journalist; Caroline Casey, Road Safety Officer, Cork County Council; Declan Keogh, Kerry County Council’s Road Safety Officer and Conference Co-ordinator; Sarah O’Connor, Director of Road Safety Authority, and Paula Hilman, Assistant Garda Commissioner.

DELEGATE REGISTRATION: Delegate tickets can be booked via Eventbrite here https://shorturl.at/jkY57 EXHIBITORS BOOKING FORM: Roads services and road safety related businesses and suppliers may book an indoor exhibition stand at the conference.

Email roadsafety@kerrycoco.ie for details.

Kerry Road Safety Officer Declan Keogh was presented with a ‘Special Recognition’ Award by Anne Graham, Chairperson of the Road Safety Authority at the ‘Leading Lights’ Award Ceremony last November, pictured with his colleagues from Kerry County Council.

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‘ Critical’ Partnership Expands Volunteer Emergency Response Across Leinster A new partnership between Dublin Airport Fire and Rescue Service (DAFRS), the National Ambulance Service (NAS) and emergency medical charity CRITICAL will see members of DAFRS volunteering respond to emergencies in their local communities spanning an extensive area across Leinster.

T

he collaboration sees members of DAFRS, trained to Advanced Paramedic, Paramedic, Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and Emergency First Responder (EFR) levels, volunteering to respond to emergencies in their local communities spanning an extensive area across Leinster.

A team of 20 responders have now signed up to date, including eight Advanced Paramedics and 13 Paramedics, while an additional five responders are expected to join over the coming months.

The volunteers have been equipped by CRITICAL with basic life support kit bags which include a defibrillator, other resuscitation and diagnostic equipment. They will be notified by the National Ambulance Service of life-threatening emergencies such as traffic collisions, serious injuries, cardiac arrests, and choking incidents.

DAFRS Chief Fire Officer Jim Moore said that at the end of their shift, team members go home to their communities and respond to emergency calls across Dublin, Meath, Kildare, Carlow, Kilkenny and Cavan. “However, through CRITICAL charity, they now have an opportunity to put their expertise to work in their communities when it matters most.

Pictured (l-r): Liam Stewart and Matthew McShane from the National Ambulance Service; Edward Walsh, CRITICAL’s Head of Operations & Standards; John Paul Guiden, DAFRS and David Tighe, CEO of CRITICAL, following the announcement of the partnership in early January 2026.

This partnership connects our team to the growing CRITICAL network of responders supporting the National Ambulance Service and other emergency services.”

Co-ordinator and member of the scheme John-Paul Guiden acknowledged the amazing support from DAA, NAS, CRITICAL and The State Claims Agency in helping to get this amazing project live. I especially thank all the members for supporting the project and volunteering their spare time to the most vulnerable in their communities.”

David Tighe, CEO of CRITICAL added, “The partnership with Dublin Airport Fire and Rescue Service is about empowering skilled prehospital professionals to save lives in their own communities. These volunteers are giving their time and expertise beyond their day jobs.

“With the support of the National Ambulance Service, they’re helping ensure that people in urgent need of care receive it faster. It’s a powerful example of what collaboration across services can achieve. We rely on fundraising to expand and grow our network, and we are

very grateful to everyone who has supported us so far.”

According to Liam Stewart, NAS Community Engagement Officer, when the DAFRS approached them about responding when off duty, it was natural to introduce them to CRITICAL. “The charity already supports 100 pre-hospital practitioners and 12 CFR schemes across the country and their investment in this project allows the DAA volunteers, who are skilled professionals, to respond with appropriate lifesaving equipment in their own communities across Leinster,” he added.

CRITICAL has a network of more than 300 volunteer responders active across Ireland including doctors and consultants equipped with emergency response vehicles and high-tech equipment; community first responder (CFR) groups; as well off-duty paramedics and EMTs. They responded to over 2,000 calls during 2025. They are notified by the National Ambulance Service and communicate closely with the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) while on scene.

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Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul SOME FACTS Established in Paris on 29 November 1633 by St. Vincent de Paul and St. Louise de Marillac, the Company of the Daughters of Charity became a world-wide community.

On 8 November 1855 the Daughters of Charity arrived in Ireland. Their first house was in Drogheda, Co Louth. In 1857 they opened two houses in Dublin. Due to changing needs they have withdrawn from some houses/services and undertaken new ones. Ireland is also responsible for the mission in East Africa and raises funds for Nigeria, Ethiopia, Ghana, Burkino Faso.

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HEALTH SERVICES SURVEY

Health and Social Care Services Study

Surveys Staff Under Extreme Pressure

A major new study on Ireland’s health and social care services has revealed a growing staff retention crisis, resulting in systemic understaffing, poor communications and low staff morale, with three-quarters of workers regularly considering leaving their role, and 67% of health workers now ‘actively’ considering leaving.

T

he research study, which was conducted by think-tank TASC, on behalf of Fórsa’s Health and Welfare Division, describes a workforce dealing with low morale and working under extreme pressure across Ireland’s health and social care services.

The mixed-methods study, recently presented to Oireachtas members (which included a briefing by TASC, was commissioned by Fórsa’s Health and Welfare Division, which represents more than 32,000 health and social care staff members, including clerical and administrative staff, health and social care professionals, in addition to pharmacy staff.

The research surveyed 3,775 members of the union, across the HSE, Tusla, Section 38 and voluntary organisations, in addition to nationwide focus groups.

The research has identified chronic understaffing, ‘top-down’ decision-making, and a failure to meaningfully

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HEALTH SERVICES SURVEY

RESEARCH STUDY HIGHLIGHTS SIX MAIN FACTORS The study identifies six central pressures driving low morale and threatening service delivery: • Severe understaffing and escalating workload pressures: Almost half the number of respondents reported feeling burnt out “often” or “always.” Workers attributed these pressures largely to inadequate staffing levels and the 2024 ‘Pay and Numbers’ strategy. The report calls for workforce planning based on local needs rather than arbitrary staffing caps.

The TASC study was presented to members of the Oireachtas on 13 January. Pictured (lr): Senator Laura Harmon, Fórsa member and health worker Mary Kearney (Fórsa Clare Health & Local Government Branch), Marie Sherlock TD, Linda Kelly, Fórsa National Secretary, and Ashley Connolly, Head of Fórsa’s Health & Welfare Division.

• Disconnect between senior management and frontline realities: Participants described a top-heavy system characterised by one-way, top-down communication that leaves workers feeling unheard and undervalued.

• ‘Vicious circle’ of low morale and poor retention: The risk of losing staff remains high, reflected in the high number (67%) of those ‘actively’ considering leaving their role, while the loss of experienced staff increases pressure on those who remain, placing patient care and service stability at risk.

• Direct negative impacts on service quality: Understaffing is leading to longer waiting lists, reduced access to local services, and an increased reliance on private providers. Workers reported that these delays undermine preventative care, worsen outcomes, and demoralise staff who feel they are delivering care far below acceptable standards.

• Clear risks to the delivery of Sláintecare: Workers strongly believe (78%) that staffing levels are far below what is required to deliver the promised shift to universal, community-based care.

More than half the number of workers said they did not feel supported or confident in delivering the changes demanded.

“Unless these root causes of demoralisation are addressed, the workforce crisis will threaten staff wellbeing and the future of Sláintecare itself,” according to Linda Kelly, Fórsa National Secretary.

• Urgent lessons for decision-makers: The report calls for evidence-based staffing levels, improved retention strategies, continued progress on pay equity in the voluntary sector, and a stronger worker voice to ensure policy is informed by frontline experience.

Fórsa member and health worker Mary Kearney (Fórsa Clare Health & Local Government Branch) addresses the meeting with Oireachtas members in Leinster House.

A lunchtime protest outside University Hospital Kerry in Tralee at the ongoing recruitment embargo in October 2024. The protest was organised by members from the health staff unions including Fórsa, INMO and SIPTU (Pic: Dominick Walsh).

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HEALTH SERVICES SURVEY

engage frontline workers as eroding health staff morale and undermining the delivery of essential services.

Fórsa has said the findings “paint a stark picture of a sector struggling to meet demand, while carrying the legacy of long-term underinvestment and recent policy decisions that have capped staffing and abolished vacant posts”.

central to delivering real and sustainable healthcare reform, adding that if workers do not have the resources or support to maintain services, any efforts at reform are undermined.

“We need evidence-based staffing, fair pay, most especially in the voluntary sector, as well as enhanced retention strategies, and a stronger worker voice in policy decisions. Unless these root causes of demoralisation are addressed, the workforce crisis will threaten staff wellbeing and the future of Sláintecare itself,” she said.

LOW MORALE ERODES TEAMWORK Head of Fórsa’s Health & Welfare Division, Ashley Connolly, said We are a Silica Sand and Beach Pebble processing plant that low morale based in Co. Wexford. We produce materials for a range is now eroding of different uses. teamwork, Resin Bond Surfaces We work in conjunction with VUBA UK, leading retention, and suppliers of Resin materials in Ireland. Some samples patient care, as of this resin surface can be seen in the following places: envisioned by the Government’s The Greenway Dublin Port Resin Surfaces Sláintecare programme.

This programme was designed to create a communitycentred model Leopardstown Racecourse Resin Surface Manchester Hospital UK Resin Surface of provision.

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Examples include: “Sláintecare was intended to deliver universal, Decorative Beach Pebble / Cobble Industrial Sands communityWe supply a range of rounded beach pebble and • Train Break Systems for British Rail and LUAS Tram System cobbles grades for decorative uses on driveways, based care, • Water Filteration For Uisce Eireann and Thames Water walkways, gabions, waterfeatures, gardens.

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At Inish Pebble we maintain a high standard of pratice in Their experience relation to environment and restoration. We have facilitated research relating to The CLEAR Project (Lagoon research Project must be taken

by AQUAFACT, funded by NPWS and the EPA) The project seriously by the has hightlighted the lake at Inish Pebble for it’s potential for Government and restoration and creation of Lagoonal Habitats. Dr. Geoff Oliver is employed to regularly update a survey of aquatic flora and fauna the Department in our lagoon at Inish, Co Wexford. The lagoon at Inish Pebble of Health,” noted will feature in Chapter 8 , The Lands Edge in Coastal Lagoons 085 8503823 | 086 8314323 Ecology & Restoration Project by Dr. Geoff Oliver, Dr. Cillian Roden Ashley Connolly. & Dr. Brendan O’Connor.

Email: office@inishpebble.com Fórsa’s Website: www.inishpebble.com At Inish Pebble we endeavour to continue doing business in National Secretary a sustainable and responsible manner with a view to leaving Newtown, Kilmore Quay, Co. Wexford Linda Kelly said behind a valued Salt Water Lagoonal Habitat for the future. that morale is

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BLOOD BIKE LEGISLATION

Transport Ministers Roll out Approval, in Principle, Enabling Blood Bikes to Use Bus Lanes

The Department of Transport granted approval, in principle, in October 2025 permitting Blood Bikes Medical Transport to use the bus lane network, enabling blood bikes to bypass traffic congestion and reduce collection and delivery times for vital medical and blood supplies. However, the full legislative changes and stakeholder consultation are now needed to formally roll out new traffic regulations.

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reland’s Blood Bike groups use vehicles to rapidly transport medical and clinical items to and from hospitals and other healthcare facilities around the country. This voluntary service reduces the demand on HSE ambulances or private operators.

Road traffic regulations in this country do not currently permit the use of bus lanes by blood bikes, or provide an exemption from road tolls, with the possibility of blood bikers being stopped or fined if found to be doing so.

However, the first step to changing the situation was made with approval granted last October by the Department of Transport to enable them to bypass traffic congestion and reduce transit times for collections and deliveries.

In granting the approval, in principle, the Minister for Transport, Darragh O'Brien TD, said: “Blood Bikes Medical Transport volunteers provide a crucial health service, and this decision acknowledges the importance of their work to our society. Every day, Blood Bike volunteers transport vital medical supplies between hospitals and patients across the country quickly and efficiently.”

The Minister had met with volunteers Michael Noonan and Fergus Lennon in July 2025 to hear about the transport services they provide. “They are among the 140 dedicated volunteers who give their time, free of charge, to ensure the service is both efficient and dependable,” he noted.

INDISPENSABLE SUPPORT SERVICE Minister of State with responsibility for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports, Seán

Blood Bikes Medical Transport, a registered charity, transports clinical items to and between healthcare facilities in Ireland. There are now up to 140 Blood Bike volunteers, handling over 6,000 calls annually.

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Canney TD, welcomed the decision to grant, in principle, permission for blood bikes to use the bus lane network.

“They provide an indispensable support service to our health service; volunteers respond to almost 6,000 calls each year and their work contributes to the health and wellbeing of countless patients and their families. They also bring huge benefit to staff in our hospitals, medical centres, nursing homes and other healthcare settings.”

The Department of Transport is currently seeking the views of key stakeholders, including the Road Safety Authority, An Garda Síochána, National Transport Authority and Dublin Bus, prior to the extension of bus lane access to Blood Bikes Medical Transport.

On 11 December last, in a parliamentary question to Minister Canney, Jennifer Whitmore Social Democrats TD for Wicklow, had asked the Minister to “advise on the stakeholder process, further to

AS OF EARLY 2026, THE STATUS OF THIS DEVELOPMENT IS AS FOLLOWS: • Ministerial Decision: The approval acknowledges the critical role of approximately 140 volunteers who handle roughly 6,000 emergency calls annually, transporting vital medical supplies between hospitals and laboratories.

• Legislative Requirements: While approval has been granted in principle, a formal legislative amendment to the Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations 1997 is required to officially permit these vehicles in bus lanes without the risk of fines.

• Current Progress (2026): In December 2025, officials confirmed they had begun a review of the relevant legislation. The Department of Transport continues to engage with stakeholders –including the Road Safety Authority, An Garda Síochána, and the National Transport Authority – to finalize the implementation framework.

• Scope of the Change: The proposed changes, highlighted in the Road Traffic and Roads (Blood Bikes Exemption) (Amendment) Bill 2025, aim to grant blood bike operators the same exemptions as ambulances, which include access to bus lanes and exemptions from road tolls.

NOTE: Until the legislative changes are officially enacted and road signs are updated, Blood Bike volunteers may still technically be subject to existing traffic laws and should verify their insurance coverage regarding the use of bus lanes.

“IT’S STILL A WORK IN PROGRESS” – Fergus Lennon, Blood Bikes Leinster According to Fergus Lennon, Founder and Director of Blood Bike Leinster, there has been some positive news regarding the bus lanes. “We met in December last year with the admin team to try and get this over the line.

It’s still a work in progress”.

Speaking recently to ‘Emergency Services Ireland’, Lennon said he remains confident that Blood Bikes Medical Transport will “get this over the line within the coming months”, pointing out that “the legal team is making sure this is watertight and will not lead to a courtroom battle by other medical services saying they are doing what we do”.

However, he described the issue with the road toll payments on the motorways as “a different kettle of fish” and added they have had no meetings with the Department of Transport up to now.

“With the Christmas upon us it was impossible to get an answer, but we are at the start of the year so we can now push forward to pin them down on this. I was in talks with them many years ago and at that time, it was then a straightforward ‘NO’. But since then, as our vehicles are now resembling HSE ambulance type vehicles we don’t have that problem.

“Well, while our group does not, other groups still must display the required tags on their windscreens, so hopefully we can get it through for all groups. One main issue that I did take from our last meeting, is that they want the vehicles to be yellow and green, with drivers to have green and yellow jackets. No unmarked vehicles will be allowed to use the bus lanes.”

approval in principle for a service to use the bus lane network while carrying out their services”. She also queried the proposed timelines for such activity.

In response, the Minister pointed out that his department officials had been in contact with members of Blood Bikes Medical Transport regarding access to the bus lane network. “My officials have started a review of the relevant legislation, and over the coming months, my department intends to continue to engage with all relevant stakeholders to ensure the best legislative outcome for all parties.

“Considering the ongoing stakeholder engagement and potential legislative complexities, it is not possible at present to provide a definitive timeline for the introduction of the required legislative amendment.”

Blood Bikes Medical Transport is a registered charity which assists Ireland’s health service by transporting clinical items to and between healthcare facilities.

There are almost 140 Blood Bike volunteers, handling 6,000 calls annually. Blood Bike volunteers provide their service free of charge.

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CIVIL DEFENCE

Civil Defence 75th Anniversary Celebrates A Legacy of Service Celebrating a ‘legacy of service’ and honouring the selflessness of volunteers who have served the Civil Defence in Ireland over the last 75 years, commemorative medals were presented to hundreds of volunteers across three regional events during 2025.

D

uring the regional events last year, veteran volunteers such as Michael Kenny, from Louth Civil Defence who had served the organisation for over 63 years, were specifically noted and recognised for their decades of service.

The first of three regional events for volunteers to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Civil Defence in Ireland took place at Maynooth University on 20 September, during which Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless, presented commemorative medals to 350 volunteers from nine counties.

“Civil Defence in Ireland has a proud tradition of service, resilience, and community spirit. From its foundation in 1950 to its vital role today, Civil Defence has consistently adapted to meet the needs of the Irish people,” Minister Lawless noted.

The second regional event returned to Maynooth University on 27 September, where Minister

of State at the Departments of the Taoiseach, Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence, Thomas Byrne TD, was joined by Jacqui McCrum, Secretary General of the Department of Defence, to present 270 volunteers from 11 counties with special commemorative medals.

Minister Byrne stated: “We are not only commemorating an anniversary – we are celebrating a legacy of

Minister Thomas Byrne pictured with Jacqui McCrum, Secretary General of the Department of Defence, alongside Civil Defence officers and volunteers to mark the 75th anniversary of Civil Defence in Ireland at Maynooth University on 27 September 2025.

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service, the thousands of lives also touched, and the countless acts of selflessness carried out by volunteers over three-quarters of a century”.

The third regional ceremony to mark the landmark anniversary of the organisation took place on 11 October at University College Cork (UCC), with Minister of State Jerry Buttimer TD presenting medals to officers and volunteers from the southern regional counties. The UCC event concluded the series of regional ceremonies held to recognise the long-term service of volunteers across Ireland’s 26 counties over the last 75 years.

RECRUITMENT CAMPAIGN A recruitment campaign, which was launched in September 2025, calling on volunteers to join the Civil Defence, highlighted the benefits and opportunities of involvement with the organisation.

The ‘Learn skills. Save lives’ recruitment campaign emphasises that “no prior experience is needed, as all necessary training and equipment are provided”. Interested individuals should contact their local Civil Defence Officer to begin the application process.

CIVIL DEFENCE

A social media and radio campaign by the Department of Defence also aims to raise the profile of Civil Defence with a view to attracting new volunteers. It features volunteers demonstrating key skills essential to Civil Defence duties – including medical response, drone piloting, in addition to land and water searches for missing persons.

The aim is to increase the number of volunteers to ensure it can support communities and principal response agencies during local events across the State and in emergency response situations.

The Department of Defence is now working with local authorities to grow Civil Defence in the years ahead, to ensure it can assist the principal response agencies in dealing with the growing effects of climate change and other challenges.

Civil Defence in Ireland has evolved over the last 75 years, shifting focus from the threat of nuclear war to emergency and medical response, search and rescue, and community support. Volunteers were particularly active during Storm Éowyn in January 2025, and earlier this year, they supported the principal response For details visit https://civildefence. agencies in the ie/join and www.civildefence.ie/ aftermath of Storm Chandra. contact/enrolment-form/

TRAINING REQUIREMENTS Civil Defence training is structured to move recruits from entry-level induction to specialised operational roles.

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Thank you

to the Irish Emergency Services

Your dedication inspires us in our mission to serve and support local communities.

NATIONAL BRAVERY AWARDS 2025

Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy TD, Senator Mark Daly, Cathaoirleach of Seanad Éireann and Assistant Commissioner Caitriona Gunn pictured with the 2025 Bravery Award winners.

Medals of Honour for 2025 Bravery Award Winners National Bravery Awards for 2025 were presented to members of An Garda Síochána and the public across Ireland who heroically risked their own lives to aid others in peril. Recipients from Mayo, Galway, Kildare, Offaly, Roscommon, Dublin, Donegal, Waterford, Cork and Cavan were among those honoured at the ceremony in Leinster House in December.

T

he 22 National Bravery Awards were presented

by Ceann Comhairle, Verona Murphy TD on December 2025. The awards included two certificates, 15 bronze medals and four silver medals, with the gold award posthumously presented to the family of Callaghan (Cal) O’Keeffe.

The 90-year-old from Cork died after being struck by a car after he saved a woman’s life by pushing her from the path of the oncoming vehicle in a car park in Fermoy in October 2024.

Asst. Commissioner Caitriona Gunn with Gardaí who received Bravery Award medals – Garda Aiden McTigue, Inspector Brendan O'Grady, Sergeant Fergal O'Connor, Garda John Carrol and Detective Supt David Nolan.

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NATIONAL BRAVERY AWARDS 2025

The youngest recipient, Carla Murphy from Waterford, aged just 11, received a silver medal for the heroic rescue of her mother from a serious assault by an intruder who broke into their home in Waterford City in December 2023; and he was later arrested by Gardaí in the area. (continued on page 81).

Waterford City’s Carla Murphy (11), who was awarded a silver medal and a Certificate of Bravery, is pictured with her family at the awards ceremony in Leinster House.

Mary O’Keefe pictured with her son Martin after accepting the gold medal award and the Certificate of Bravery, posthumously presented to her husband Callaghan (Cal) O’Keeffe.

Donal Kavanagh from Belfast was awarded a silver medal and Certificate of Bravery for the rescue of his younger sister, grandparents and granduncle from a burning house in Sligo in December 1991. Aged just 11 at the time, Donal’s quick thinking and heroic actions saved the lives of five people.

Michael Collins from Cork, pictured with his family, after he was awarded a bronze medal and a Certificate of Bravery for the rescue of a woman from the cold water at Roovesbridge, Co. Cork, in January 2025.

Nigel Cullen from Kildare received a bronze medal award and Certificate of Bravery for rescuing a young man from a burning house in Co. Kildare in March 2024. (Nigel was nominated by John Kerin Brooks from ‘Emergency Services Ireland’!)

Eoin Clancy from Galway received a bronze medal and a Certificate of Bravery for rescuing a young woman from the Claddagh River near the Spanish Arch in Galway city, in the very early hours of the morning, in September 1992.

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NATIONAL BRAVERY AWARDS 2025

Donegal’s Kealan Dolan pictured with his family after he received a bronze medal and a Certificate or Bravery for the rescue of a man from a burning house in Co. Donegal in June 2024.

Pat Cannon from Donegal was awarded a silver medal and a certificate of Bravery. Despite not being able to swim, the skipper rescued a crewmate from the sea off the Mayo coast on a cold October night in 1988.

Alison Lynch from Cavan received the posthumous silver award and a Certificate of Bravery, presented to her father Pauge Lynch for the rescue of an elderly neighbour from a house in Virginia, Co. Cavan, in November 1986.

Brendan Grimes from Skerries, Co. Dublin, who received a bronze medal and a Certificate of Bravery for the rescue of a man from the sea near Skerries in 1963, is pictured with Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy.

DUBLIN FIRE BRIGADE’S AWARD PRESENTATION TO HEROIC DRIVER FOR SAVING MAN’S LIFE Dublin Fire Brigade presented a truck driver with a special award after he saved a man from a burning building on the northside of the city in June 2025.

Eurospar driver Tomasz Zareba reversed his truck up close to the blaze on the third floor of a four-storey building at Granby Row allowing the man to jump onto the roof of his truck. The incident took place in Dublin’s north inner city. Amazingly, the Polish man said that he then carried on with his job and "finished [his] deliveries for the day".

Three fire victims were taken to hospital following the fire on 24 June last year, but many claim that the tragedy was avoided thanks to the Eurospar driver. Dublin Fire Brigade recognised his heroic deeds with a special award at Tara Street Fire Station, the week after the incident.

Dennis Keely, Dublin Fire Brigade’s Chief Fire Officer, presented Tomasz with a plaque to acknowledge his quick actions when he positioned his delivery truck to assist in the rescue of people from the burning building.

Video footage showed Tomasz reversing the lorry

under a window of the building as thick, black smoke and fire billowed out. After several seconds, a man leaps from the window on to the roof of the lorry and a loud impact noise can be heard amid the gasps of onlookers.

Tomasz pictured with DFB firefighters/paramedics who were at the scene of the incident after he saved the man’s life from the north inner city burning building.

(Pic: Twitter/DFB)

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NATIONAL BRAVERY AWARDS 2025

CHANCE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE Following the awards presentation at Leinster House, the Ceann Comhairle said: “We don’t all find ourselves standing with someone in the water, or holding onto them on a cliff edge, as some of our recipients have done.

“However, every day we each have a chance to make a difference, by listening, supporting or just being there for someone when they need us. It is a significant day for all those who will see, or hear, or read about these brave deeds and feel better to know there are still good things being done, by good people.

“To all of our award recipients, on behalf of the people of Ireland let me thank you again for your actions, for your selflessness and for your courage.

What you have done has made the world feel a little less dark, a little less dangerous and gives hope to us all for the road ahead.”

a life, involving personal risk to themselves.

The Council, which adjudicates on the overall award winners, is currently chaired by Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy TD, and includes the Cathaoirleach of Seanad Éireann, Senator Mark Daly, Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly; the Chair of the Irish Red Cross,

Charlie Flanagan; Dublin’s Lord Mayor Ray McAdam, Cork’s Lord Mayor Fergal Dennehy, and the President of the Association of Irish Local Government Cllr Mary Hanna Hourigan.

For further information and the full list of Bravery Award winners visit www.bravery.ie

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EU HEALTH REGULATIONS

Ireland’s Healthcare Professionals to Gain EU-Wide Access to Patient Records

Doctors, nurses and pharmacists in Ireland will, over the coming years, be able to securely access and update patient health records from across the European Union, via a unified electronic health record standard, under new landmark EU health regulations, marking the biggest improvements in data accessibility in decades.

T

he European Health Data Space (EHDS) will facilitate healthcare professionals in Ireland to instantly view and update key clinical information.

This includes patient summaries, e-Prescriptions, e-Dispensations, medical imaging studies and related imaging reports; medical test results (lab and other diagnostic results and related reports); and discharge reports, not only when treated in another healthcare facility but also when patients have received care in another EU country.

The aim is to eliminate long-standing barriers that have left clinicians working with fragmented or incomplete records. For many clinicians, the lack of interoperability between IT systems from different providers has added unnecessary steps to care provision.

Over the years, new applications were added, each operating in its own silo and forcing clinicians to copy and paste data or re-enter the same information repeatedly.

The EHDS will now help to bring order to this data ecosystem by requiring healthcare IT providers to adopt a unified electronic health record standard. Data will move more seamlessly between care teams, IT systems, and healthcare facilities, following patients wherever they are located.

According to the Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, “The EHDS is an important milestone in creating a fit-for-purpose national health information system that enhances patient care and treatment as well as supporting better planning and delivery of health services into the future. Ireland has been proactively working with our European counterparts to guide our implementation of this Regulation.”

The European Health Data Space (EHDS) will facilitate healthcare professionals in Ireland to instantly view and update key clinical information.

The implementation of the EHDS will place obligations on EU Member States beginning in 2027 and continuing through to 2031. “While giving full effect to the EHDS will take a number of years and follow a phased implementation timeline, the first steps have already been taken through initiatives such as the HSE Health App and the procurement of a Shared Care Record,” noted the Health Minister.

The Department of Health and the Health Service Executive (HSE) launched the first version of the new HSE Health App in February 2025, to provide patients with easy access to their health information.

Through the secure EHDS infrastructure, clinicians in Ireland will be able to: * Securely access and update patient summaries across EU borders. * View and issue e-Prescriptions/e-Dispensations recognised in other EU Member States. * Check the discharge reports to ensure continuity of care and safety. * Retrieve laboratory results and medical imaging studies carried out abroad. * Use fully interoperable Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems for national and cross-border care.

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EU HEALTH REGULATIONS

Underpinning the system is the EU’s secure MyHealth@EU infrastructure, which will connect national Electronic Health Record systems across EU borders and make them interoperable for the first time. Irish healthcare providers will be able to access information in a safe, standardised format, while patients have better control over how their data is used.

TIMEFRAME FOR ROLLOUT By 2029: Key parts of the EHDS Regulation will enter into application, including the exchange of the first group of priority categories of health data (patient summaries e-Prescriptions, and e-Dispensations) in all EU Member States.

drive better outcomes for patients across the EU. Beyond day-to-day care, the EHDS creates a new framework for the secure use of health data for research, workforce planning and public health policy, overseen by national Health Data Access Bodies to prevent misuse and ensure strong privacy safeguards.

Health leaders have said that the seamless data exchange could be transformative for Ireland’s health system, which has long struggled with fragmented digital infrastructure and high administrative load.

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CROSS BORDER PROJECT

Cross Border Fire and Rescue Project

PEACEPLUS Provides Over €2m in Funding A major cross border project that aims to strengthen the level of emergency preparedness, mutual aid and interoperability, specialist development training and joint exercises between firefighters and emergency personnel from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland over the next three years, has received funding of over €2m from the PEACEPLUS programme.

N

orthern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS), in partnership with National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management (NDFEM), South West College (SWC) in Northern Ireland and Mayo Sligo Leitrim Education & Training Board (MSLETB), has secured €2.05m in funding from the PEACEPLUS

NIFRS Learning & Development College in Cookstown.

programme, which is managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).

Known as the TACTICS Project (Training Across Communities for Tactical Interoperability for CrossBorder Safety), the investment will enhance crossborder co-operation in emergency response, enhance interoperability between fire and rescue services, and build community resilience with a particular focus in the border areas.

NIFRS Learning & Development College in Cookstown will act as the central training hub as part of the project, providing state-of-the-art facilities for urban search and rescue (USAR), high volume pumping (HVP), multi-agency training, and large-scale simulation exercises.

AGENCY INTEROPERABILITY INVESTMENT NIFRS Chief Fire & Rescue Officer Aidan Jennings said: “This PEACEPLUS project will enhance the capability and resilience of fire and rescue services on both sides of E M E RG E N CY S E RVI C E S I R E L AN D

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To Emergency Services Ireland for your support and solidarity from the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation

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The Sacred Heart School community in Tullamore would like to send their best wishes to all the Emergency Services personnel for their invaluable service and dedication to our communities.

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CROSS BORDER PROJECT

“ Tragic incidents such as Cresslough, property fires, road traffic collisions and other emergencies which fire and rescue services respond to in border areas – together with the rising frequency of severe weather and wildfires – reinforce the need for a strategic approach and investment to joint agency interoperability ” Aidan Jennings, Chief Fire Officer, NIFRS the border, building upon the strong co-operation that already exists.”

He pointed out that the core of this project is about enhancing firefighter and public safety by building shared capacity to respond to emergencies and help build safer more resilient communities.

“Tragic incidents such as Cresslough, property fires, road traffic collisions and the range of other emergencies fire and rescue services respond to in border areas – together with the rising frequency of severe weather and wildfires, reinforce the need for a strategic approach and investment to joint agency interoperability.

“The project embodies the spirit of the PEACEPLUS programme by fostering collaboration, understanding, and long-term resilience through shared public service. At the heart of the delivery of this project is our new Learning & Development College. It will build upon the training that is already taking place with our cross-border colleagues and will foster further opportunities for collaboration.”

Aidan Jennings thanked the Special EU Programmes Body for the investment and acknowledged the work of all the partners involved in securing this funding. “We look forward to the delivery of this unique initiative over the next three years and to the multiple benefits it will bring to help keep people safe long into the future.”

ALL-IRELAND APPROACH Northern Ireland’s Health Minister Mike Nesbitt said that the cross-border initiative demonstrates the value of partnership

in protecting communities north and south. “The NIFRS Learning & Development College showcases world-class training that enhances firefighter safety and public confidence across the island. Through this collaboration, we are investing in people, in training, and in the resilience of our shared communities for generations to come.”

The Director of the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management (NDFEM) Keith Leonard said the partnership agreement has been the culmination of a huge amount of work between fire services in both jurisdictions.

“We look forward to the capacity and the all-island approach that this will bring for the fire services. It will mean that both fire services will operate the same processes and procedures in terms of urban search and rescue increasing the speed and efficiency of operation.

“For wider and more general type of emergencies, this cross-border engagement will strengthen operational integration and emergency preparedness.”

UPSKILLING FRONTLINE TEAMS Ireland’s Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage James Browne TD, said that the project will ensure that public and firefighter safety is at the heart of planning, preparedness and response mechanisms on the island of Ireland.

“This is critical to success over the next three years; the €2.05m in funding from the PEACEPLUS programme is an essential and timely injection of support where it is badly needed, to upskill our dedicated frontline service teams and to boost our collaboration. Emergencies and weather-generated issues on the ground can happen in any county at any time. This fund reflects the need to act as a team to respond.”

Minister Browne thanked SEUPB and all involved in this joint agreement between the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management and the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service”

Northern Ireland’s Health Minister Mike Nesbitt, who had attended official opening of the training college on 28 May 2025, is pictured alongside the First Minister Michelle O’Neill and Deputy First Minister Emma LittlePengelly, during the official inspection of firefighters to graduate at the new training facility E M E RG E N CY S E RVI C E S I R E L AN D

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The Lakeside Hotel would like to offer a discount of 10% across their rates for 2026 for all emergency service personal, as our way of saying thank you for your tireless efforts.

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Help us make the most of

short and precious lives File identifier: LauraLynn is Ireland’s ONLY children’s hospice. sky_Graphic.eps sky_Graphic.jpg We provide palliative care and support to children with life-limiting conditions and their families.

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HEART STARTERS CAMPAIGN

London Ambulance Charity Boosted in ‘Defib Deserts’ Campaign The British Heart Foundation is supporting a life-saving charity campaign from the London Ambulance Service by donating 18 defibrillators for areas across the capital where they are needed the most. The ‘Heart Starters’ campaign was launched by the London Ambulance Charity with the aim of raising funds for hundreds of additional defibrillators.

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s part of the charity campaign, the life-saving devices will be installed in neighbourhoods known as ‘defib deserts’ where there is little or no access to a defibrillator.

Jess Burgess, Head of London Ambulance Charity, said they’re incredibly grateful that the British Heart Foundation (BHF) generously donated these defibrillators and has joined the charity’s mission to save more lives. “The campaign will help bridge the gap in health inequalities across neighbourhoods in the capital and ensure that everyone has access to one of these life-saving devices,” she added.

Last year, London Ambulance Service responded to more than 12,200 cardiac arrests across the capital. Fewer than one in 10 patients survived. The Heart Starters campaign, which was first launched in July 2024, now aims to reduce the health inequalities in some of the areas with the fewest defibrillators, which also have the high levels of deprivation, and poorer health outcomes.

Burgess said the charity is also calling on members of the public to join in the mission – “you could either take on a fundraising challenge for this great cause or become a guardian in your local community to look after these defibs so they’re ready to save someone’s life”.

COMMUNITY FUNDING PROGRAMME The BHF funds public access defibrillators in communities most in need through the Community Defibrillator Funding Programme, which aims to give more people a

better chance of surviving an outof-hospital cardiac arrest. This year, there are 400 defibrillator packages available through the programme, giving priority to the areas with the greatest need.

Sam Kennard, BHF’s Community Defibrillator Manager, said: “Every defibrillator has the power to save a life, and we’re thrilled to fund 18 defibrillators for this campaign. When someone has a cardiac arrest, every second counts.

“Timely CPR and defibrillation can more than double the chances of survival during a cardiac arrest which is why quick and easy access to a defibrillator is so crucial in all communities.

“Although we’ve made progress, there are still too many areas that lack the necessary access to a defibrillator.

With this funding programme, more communities will now have access to one that can ultimately save lives.”

Last October, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan donated £150,000 to the campaign which has helped the London Ambulance Charity reach its target to install 200 defibrillators in the most-needed areas of the city.

In early 2025, the charity was awarded £142,000 from ‘NHS Charities Together’ to boost the pioneering campaign, while Transport for London has also donated defibrillators to the campaign, which have now been installed in homeless shelters across the capital.

Londoners can also support fundraising efforts either by donating to the London Ambulance Charity, sponsoring a defib, or by taking part in the fundraising events. The next event is the ‘Big Stadium Abseil’ on 19 March which invites thrill-seekers to scale 42 metres down Tottenham Hotspurs football stadium. Details are on the ‘London Ambulance Charity’ website.

The ‘London Heart Starters Campaign’ was first launched in July 2024 to bring more life-saving defibrillators to neighbourhoods in London where they’re needed the most. For more information visit www.londonambulancecharity.org.uk/appeal/heartstarters

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INTERSCHUTZ 2026

Germany’s Annual Global Exchange Platform for Emergency Response Systems Rising call volumes, increasingly complex incident scenarios, rapid technological change, and limited personnel resources are presenting emergency services worldwide with growing challenges. How response organisations can position themselves for the future will be demonstrated at INTERSCHUTZ on 1-6 June in Hanover, Germany.

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s the world’s leading international trade fair for fire and rescue services as well as civil protection, INTERSCHTUZ 2026 will bring together decisionmakers, practitioners, manufacturers, and researchers under the guiding theme ‘Safeguarding Tomorrow’.

“The demands placed on emergency medical services are changing noticeably worldwide. International cooperation makes it possible to look beyond national systems,” according to Hendrik Rawe, Global Director of INTERSCHUTZ at Deutsche Messe AG. He noted that the exchange of experiences and solutions serve to “strengthen the resilience of emergency response structures and helps save lives”. A central issue for all stakeholders in emergency services is managing increasing call volumes with limited resources. Demographic change, regional disparities, and shortages of skilled personnel require new organisational and technological approaches.

“INTERSCHUTZ demonstrates how processes may be accelerated, responders relieved, and systems made more resilient. At the same time, as incident scenarios become more complex: extreme weather events, failures of critical infrastructure, or multiple incidents occurring simultaneously place high demands on leadership, co-ordination, and technology,” he added.

The event will adhere to the INTERSCHUTZ-motto ‘Safeguarding Tomorrow’ and aims to create a leading European strategic platform for those shaping the future of European fire services and civil protection (see side panel for further details on the FEU conference).

INTERSCHTUZ 2026 will bring together decision-makers, practitioners, manufacturers, and researchers under the guiding theme ‘Safeguarding Tomorrow’.

EXHIBITORS SHOWCASE SOLUTIONS In the emergency services exhibition area, international suppliers at INTERSCHUTZ 2026 will present solutions covering the entire rescue chain – from rescue and specialpurpose vehicles to medical technology, stretchers, and medical supplies, as well as digital applications and services.

INTERSCHUTZ thus provides a comprehensive overview of current developments and practical innovations for day-today operations.

Exhibitors include companies such as Stryker and Stollenwerk, suppliers of (vehicle-mounted) stretchers and chairs in the field of medical and rescue technology. X-CenTek, also known as PAX, will also exhibit in the emergency services sector as the manufacturer of the well-known PAX emergency backpacks.

CONFERENCE COLLABORATION As part of INTERSCHUTZ, all participants will receive an in-depth overview of the latest developments and cuttingedge technologies shaping the future of the industry. "This collaboration enriches the conference by bringing together expertise and fresh perspectives, offering participants real value through shared knowledge, inspiration, and practical insights,” noted Stephan Wevers, President of FEU (Federation of European Fire Officers.

FEU will bring European fire chiefs together at the very first FEU Leadership Conference on 3-4 June, during INTERSCHUTZ 2026 in Hanover. More than 350 leaders from fire and rescue services, and civil protection authorities from Europe other regions worldwide, are expected to attend the two-day event at the Exhibition Grounds in Hanover, to discuss the strategic challenges and emerging issues shaping the future of the industry.

Up to 24 fire and rescue teams from around the world compete against each other in realistic vehicle rescue scenarios during the third Rescue Challenge by Dutch company Holmatro during INTERSCHUTZ 2026.

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INTERSCHUTZ 2026

will bring together representatives from all 16 German federal states to discuss current developments and necessary reforms. This reflects the federal responsibility of the states for emergency medical services in Germany.

As a global exchange platform, INTERSCHUTZ looks at emergency services within an international overall context.

Different regional conditions – from dense urban areas to vast rural regions – are incorporated into the trade fair programme.

Expert forums, live demonstrations, and best-practice examples from around the world illustrate how modern emergency response systems must be designed to sustainably relieve responders and reliably protect the population. (Source: International Fire Fighter magazine)

“The demands placed on emergency medical services are changing noticeably worldwide” – Hendrik Rawe, Global Director of INTERSCHUTZ at Deutsche Messe AG BINZ Automotive GmbH will also be on site, presenting solutions and services related to rescue and mobility as one of the leading companies in special-purpose vehicle manufacturing. Wietmarscher Ambulanz- und Sonderfahrzeug GmbH (WAS) will also showcase its product range at INTERSCHUTZ, and for the Lower Saxony–based company, the trade fair in the state capital of Hannover is something of a home game.

Ferno will present innovative medical products and transport solutions. Its diverse portfolio includes roll-in systems, ambulance stretchers, bariatric stretchers, carry chairs, scoop stretchers, and equipment for water, ice, and air rescue operations. Weber Rescue Systems will showcase highlights in technical rescue, innovative rescue tools, a wide range of additional equipment, and digital solutions.

Dutch company Holmatro will offer a booth featuring innovative products, as well as the return of its Rescue Challenge. In this competition, 24 fire and rescue teams from around the world will compete against each other in realistic vehicle rescue scenarios.

‘INTERSCHUTZ 2026’ TO HOST FIRST EUROPEAN FIRE OFFICERS’ CONFERENCE The Federation of European Fire Officers (FEU) will bring European fire chiefs together at the first FEU Leadership Conference on 3-4 June, which will take place during INTERSCHUTZ 2026 in Hanover.

In light of several pressures – including hybrid threats, geopolitical instability, digital vulnerabilities, extreme climate events, and rising public expectations – INTERSCHUTZ organisers have said that the “need for clear-headed, future-oriented leadership has never been greater”.

Over the two conference days, the FEU will bring together senior representatives from the European Commission, NATO, national fire and civil protection agencies, and international fire service leaders from the US, Australia, Singapore, and other countries to explore how European emergency services must evolve to remain capable, resilient, and strategically aligned in an increasingly disruptive world.

Conference Tickets: Ticket price €653 + €595 reservation fee (fees will be offset against hotel price). Total price for ticket + hotel package is €1,248 (including 19% VAT).

Visit www.interschutz.de/en/side-events/ conferences/feu-leadership-conference/

Spencer Italia’s portfolio comprises approximately 1,700 products, including transport systems, equipment for immobilisation, resuscitation, suction, and oxygen therapy, a wide range of bags and backpacks, and an extensive catalogue of personal protective equipment for paramedics and medical personnel. The offering also includes stretchers sold worldwide, as well as a chair described as revolutionary for evacuation and transport.

TRADE FAIR PROGRAMME The 2026 exhibition will be accompanied by an extensive conference programme. One lecture, for example, will focus on emergency services in a European comparison. In addition, the National Committee for Emergency Services E M E RG E N CY S E RVI C E S I R E L AN D

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EENA CONFERENCE

Registration Open for EENA

Conference & Exhibition 2026 Registration is open for the European Emergency Number Association (EENA) Conference & Exhibition for 2026, which will take place in Riga, Latvia on 15–17 April, offering three days of discussions, practical insights, and opportunities to connect with over 700 public safety professionals from over 50 countries.

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his year’s EENA Conference & Exhibition promises to offer emergency services professionals, researchers, solution providers, mobile network operators and EU institution representatives the space to learn, exchange experiences, and stay up to date with the latest developments in public safety.

The conference programme will focus on strengthening preparedness and resilience in emergency communications, addressing challenges posed by geopolitical uncertainty, natural disasters, and the phasing out of 2G/3G networks, public warning systems, data integration, Next Generation 112, AI in emergency communications, while the forthcoming EU legislation will also be explored.

The 2026 EENA Conference & Exhibition will explore how emergency communications can remain dependable in a changing landscape, connecting technical realities with practical resilience planning and lessons from the field.

As Europe accelerates the shutdown of 2G/3G networks, a new and urgent reality is emerging, as in some cases, people are losing the ability to reach emergency services, particularly while roaming.

The conference programme will explore these topics, including: • Tackling problems in emergency communications over IMS: Why 112 calls can fail in 4G/5G environments, what this means for citizens and responders, and where solutions must be implemented.

• Keeping 112 operational – multi-channel approaches and satellite-enabled resilience: How PSAPs and stakeholders can strengthen availability by combining channels, reducing single points of failure and using satellite-enabled connectivity to complement terrestrial networks and support continuity when coverage is compromised.

• Building resilience in PSAPs: Operational strategies to maintain service during disruptions, from planning and procedures to flexible capacity and continuity measures.

The conference programme will focus on strengthening preparedness and resilience in emergency communications.

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To register for EENA Conference 2026 visit https://eenaconference.org/registration Topics on the EENA Conference Agenda • AI in emergency communications • Responding to suicidal callers • Dealing with emergency communications outages • Real-time incident sharing • Testing emergency communications • Emergency communications via video • Deployments of mission-critical communications over broadband • Public Warning Systems: Strategies and technical evolutions • Migration towards Next Generation 112 • Ensuring equal access for people with disabilities • Improvements in caller location • Mapping and GIS enhancements • Impact of an ageing population on emergency communications • Best practices in emergency call-backs • Use of emergency communications data for statistics • Next Generation eCall • Open category

DRONE DEFENCE

US Defensive System to ‘Shield’ Drones from Cyberattacks While drones are becoming increasingly used for a wide range of tasks, the danger of cyberattacks has also grown. A drone hijacked could suddenly veer off course, speed up, stall in midair, or crash, and once compromised, the UAV is useless. However, a team of researchers at Florida International University has now found a solution to the problem.

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s drones become increasingly common across our skies, this has also seen an increasing danger of cyberattacks. Florida International University researchers now have found a way to fight back by deploying a new system that can detect and neutralise cyberattacks on drones.

At the IEEE International Conference on Dependable Systems and Networks in 2025, FIU computer scientists unveiled SHIELD, a defensive system that can detect and neutralise cyberattacks on drones in real time and, crucially, allow the drone to finish its mission.

“Without robust recovery mechanisms, a drone cannot complete its mission under attacks; even if it is possible to detect the attacks, the mission often gets terminated as a fail-safe move,” noted Mohammad Ashiqur Rahman, lead researcher and associate professor in FIU’s Knight Foundation School of Computing and Information Sciences.

“What’s important about our framework is that it helps the system recover so the mission can be completed,” he added. Safeguarding the security of drones may soon become more important than ever before. Last year, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) proposed expanding commercial drone use across industries. From Amazon to agriculture, the FAA expects more businesses to deploy unmanned aircraft, raising urgent questions about safety in the face of increasingly sophisticated cyber threats.

Traditionally, attack detection has revolved around sensors that help the drone perceive its surroundings and fly safely but it can be easily manipulated. SHIELD goes further, by monitoring the drone’s entire control system.

It detects abnormalities not just in sensors but also in hardware, where hackers often try to hide their tracks.

Mohammad Ashiqur Rahman and his cybersecurity research group at Florida International University developed SHIELD, a real-time defence system against drone hijacking.

(Pic: Chris Necuze/Florida International University)

Florida International University researchers have deployed a new system that can detect and neutralise cyberattacks on drones.

A sudden battery surge or overheating processor, for instance, may signal an attack underway.

The system then uses machine learning to diagnose the type of assault, much like a doctor identifying an illness. Each attack leaves behind a unique signature, and SHIELD responds with a tailored recovery protocol. In laboratory simulations, the FIU team’s approach identified attacks in an average of 0.21 seconds and restored normal flight in 0.36.

Rahman’s research group at FIU will scale up testing to prepare SHIELD for real-world deployment. With drones poised to reshape commerce, infrastructure monitoring, and disaster response, FIU researchers have said that securing them is no longer optional.

“Reliable and secure drones are the key to unlocking future advancements. It’s our hope this work can play a role in moving the industry forward,” he concluded.

For more information about the study visit https://news. fiu.edu/ E M E RG E N CY S E RVI C E S I R E L AN D

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UK NEWS

THE BLUE LIGHT SHOW 2026 RETURNS IN JULY

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ondon’s emergency services conference and expo – The Blue Light Show 2026 – will return to the Olympia on 1-2 July, following a successful inaugural event last year.

This triple award-winning expo will bring together leaders and frontline professionals from policing, fire and rescue, ambulance services, rescue and public safety organisations. It is the only emergency services expo in the south of England that unites the entire emergency services community to collaborate, learn and prepare for future challenges.

Developed in partnership with an Advisory Board, the 2026 edition will focus on real incidents, recent inquiries and lessons that have shaped operational practice. The twoday conference and exhibition will be tailored to the unique procurement and educational needs of the emergency services community.

Returning to Olympia London on 1-2 July, the free-toattend, high level CPD conference and exhibition brings together thousands of professionals from the police, fire and rescue, ambulance, mountain rescue, and coast guard services, along with their procurement teams and support staff members.

For more details visit https://www.bluelight.show/

AIR AMBULANCE LANDS NEW RAPID RESPONSE VEHICLE AND REFURBISHED HELIPAD

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ssex & Herts Air Ambulance Trust (EHAAT) has unveiled a new rapid response vehicle and a newly refurbished helipad at its Earls Colne airbase after receiving almost £100,000 from the HELP Appeal.

The grant from the national charity – the only organisation dedicated to funding helipads at NHS hospitals and air ambulance bases – has enabled EHAAT to upgrade its existing landing site to meet the latest aviation standards and remain fully operational for critical care flights.

The addition of a new Rapid Response Vehicle (RRV) now takes the charity’s fleet to six. The cars are used

The air ambulance charity now has a fleet of six rapid response cars, following the addition of the new vehicle pictured at the refurbished helipad with the critical care team.

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at night or when helicopters cannot fly due to poor weather or maintenance, ensuring crews can still reach emergencies quickly.

Like the aircraft, each RRV is staffed by a prehospital care doctor and a critical care paramedic and carries the same specialist equipment and medicines, providing a level of treatment far beyond that of a standard land ambulance. Last year the vehicles were deployed more than 1,400 times across Essex and Hertfordshire.

Mark Jarman-Howe, Chief Executive of Essex & Herts Air Ambulance, said the investment will strengthen frontline care. “This grant will play a big part in helping us t continue to do that. It’s vital we have the latest equipment and facilities so we can get our teams to where they’re needed as quickly and efficiently as possible,” he added.

Robert Bertram, Chief Executive of the HELP Appeal, said that funding the air ambulance base helipad and a new critical care car will help lifesaving teams reach the most critically ill patients in the region, “This is the first time the HELP Appeal has made such a significant investment in this area.”

In 2025 Essex & Herts Air Ambulance crews attended over 2,490 missions, ranging from road collisions to cardiac arrests and other medical emergencies. With each call-out costing around £2,800, the charity relies heavily on public donations and support from funders such as the HELP Appeal to keep its helicopters in the air and vehicles on the road.

For more information visit https://helpappeal.org.uk/

UK NEWS

BRITISH RED CROSS IN EMERGENCY SUPPORT PARTNERSHIP WITH FIRE SERVICE IN MID & WEST WALES

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new partnership between the British Red Cross and Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service (MAWWFRS) has enhanced the support available to individuals and communities affected by emergencies across the region.

British Red Cross Emergency Response volunteers will now join MAWWFRS at the scene of incidents, offering vital emotional and practical support to those impacted.

The initiative aims to bolster the immediate care available during emergencies such as house fires, floods and other major incidents.

The collaboration brings together the expertise and resources of two well-established organisations.

MAWWFRS, the third-largest fire and rescue service in the UK, serves over 930,000 people, while the British Red Cross, with over 150 years of humanitarian experience, continues to support communities in the UK and globally during times of crisis.

As part of the partnership, Red Cross volunteers will attend callouts in a specially adapted emergency vehicle, which has been equipped with essential items such as clothing, blankets and hygiene supplies to assist those suddenly displaced or in need.

The new initiative is designed to assist in the immediate aftermath of an incident and to support individuals on the road to recovery. Craig Flannery, Assistant Chief Fire Officer at MAWWFRS, said that many

of the incidents they respond to can often have major and long-lasting effects on the lives of those involved.

“With both organisations working side-by-side, the practical and emotional support being provided will be invaluable,” he noted.

By combining frontline emergency response with humanitarian support, the partnership aims to improve outcomes for those affected and strengthen the overall emergency support network in the region. (Source: EmergencyServicesTimes.com)

(Image: Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service).

‘BECOMING A SPECIALIST PARAMEDIC’ AT THE FRONTLINE

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fter 25 years of frontline emergency care, Hull paramedic Ray Chapman has shared the extraordinary journey that shaped his life and his lifelong commitment to serving others. His memoir ranked 24th on Amazon medical league table inside its first week.

‘Becoming a Specialist Paramedic’ is the true story of Chapman who rose from the tight-knit streets of Fountain Road to the relentless frontline of emergency medicine. Born and raised in the city, his path to public service was forged early, shaped by a workingclass upbringing and strengthened through service with the Prince of Wales’s Own Regiment of Yorkshire (PWO).

A former soldier, he completed operational tours of Northern Ireland, experiences that demanded discipline, resilience, and calm under pressure, qualities that would later define his career in emergency care. His service also included involvement in the response to the Lockerbie disaster, an event that left an indelible mark and reinforced the human cost behind uniformed service.

From conflict zones to catastrophic incidents, and later to the blue-light pressures of life in the ambulance service, Ray Chapman brings readers into the heart of every chapter.

His words are drawn from decades spent making critical decisions under pressure, comforting families on their worst days, and standing on the frontline when others could not.

The memoir charts the grit, heartbreak, camaraderie, and determination that shaped his journey, revealing how a working-class Hull lad forged a lifelong calling to serve. He shares the moments that tested him, the setbacks that nearly broke him, and the dedication that carried him forward into the role of Specialist Paramedic.

Ray Chapman (author).

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UK NEWS

NEW LEGAL FRAMEWORK ON USING LIVE FACIAL RECOGNITION UNDER CONSIDERATION

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he UK Home Office is seeking views on the development of a new legal framework for the use of live facial recognition (LFR) technology that balances public harm with individual rights and keeps pace with technological developments.

FCrime and Policing Minister Sarah Jones MP said that facial recognition is the “biggest breakthrough for catching criminals since DNA matching”, adding that the current legal framework doesn’t give the police “sufficient confidence” to use it at a significantly greater scale.

“Nor does it give the public the confidence that it will be used responsibly according to clear rules, because the current framework is complicated and difficult to understand,” she added.

More police forces are now trialling LFR technology with South Wales, Essex and the Met in this space. A cash injection from the Home Office allowed forces from Manchester, Bedfordshire, West Yorkshire, Surrey and Sussex, Thames Valley and Hampshire to begin rolling out the tech several weeks before the end of 2025.

Consultation on the new framework has looked at what the government calls a ‘patchwork’ of laws, used to underpin the use of facial recognition technology and introduce a new oversight body. It wants to set out the rules for the overt use of facial recognition by law enforcement agencies.

Survey results by the Home Office on the attitudes to the use of facial recognition technologies showed that two thirds

More police forces are now trialling LFR technology with South Wales, Essex and the Met in this space. of respondents support police use of facial recognition technology, with 11% opposing its use and 23% neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

The Biometrics and Surveillance Camera Commissioner, Prof William Webster, stressed the need for meaningful oversight and a framework that is “sufficiently agile to provide the public with confidence that the right balance of regulatory oversight has been achieved in a fast-moving area with innovation and new technologies emerging at pace”.

INNOVATIVE TRAUMA SOLUTIONS REMAIN TOP PRIORITY FOR POLICE CARE UK

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olice Care UK's new Chief Executive Officer Geoff Cheshire has promised to do the very best for those who have experienced physical or psychological trauma in UK policing.

Cheshire was appointed to the role in September 2025, having served six months as acting CEO after arriving at the charity as Chief Operating Officer in February 2025. “The charity is evolving to ensure we consistently meet the needs of those who come to us for help in the most effective way.

“We want the work we deliver to create significant and lasting change to the lives of those working in UK policing and their families, and to support those whose careers have been adversely affected as a result of experiencing harm from their policing experiences,” he pointed out.

Geoff Cheshire joined Police Care UK from the British Red Cross, where he performed the roles of Area Director in the Northwest of England and as the Head of Operations for one of the charity’s national service lines.

During his early career, he served in Merseyside Police Geoff Chesire, CEO for over 30 years in a variety of uniformed and leadership roles, of Police Care UK

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retiring from the force as Head of Training Delivery. He subsequently served as Chief Officer for the Special Constabulary.

The complex health needs of those working in police and exposed to trauma, continue to be a significant priority for the charity, as it embarks on an ambitious new strategy. Police Care UK has trialled pilot schemes for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) recovery.

“Alongside our innovative services, we provide counselling and trauma therapies for those struggling with psychological impacts of the job and trauma exposure. We also offer financial assistance grants to all police experiencing financial hardship, due to the harm they experienced in the line of duty.”

Working independently of Government Police Forces, the charity supports policing personnel across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. “As we develop under our new leadership there are plans to launch new, digital methods for trauma resilience as we continue to provide vital services to injured police personnel,” For more information visit Cheshire noted. www.policecare.org.uk/

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

EUROPEAN RESUSCITATION COUNCIL (ERC) CONGRESS 2026

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he Call for Abstracts is now open for the European Resuscitation Council (ERC) Congress – Resuscitation 2026 – which takes place on 17–19 September in Milan, Italy.

This year’s ERC Congress at the Allianz MiCo in Milano Convention Centre will provide a platform for researchers and clinicians to present the latest findings, share clinical experiences, and discuss developments across the field of resuscitation science that support the ongoing implementation of the latest ERC guidelines worldwide.

The deadline date for submission of all abstracts is Tuesday 31 March. Submissions are invited across all areas of resuscitation, including acute coronary syndromes, advanced and basic life support, paediatric and neonatal resuscitation, post-resuscitation care, resuscitation systems, education, ethics, first aid, and special circumstances.

Studies that present novel insights, practical applications, or robust clinical research are particularly welcome. Submitting an abstract allows engagement with an international audience of peers and experts, participate in scientific discussions, and help shape the programme for ‘Resuscitation 2026’

For further information www.erc.edu/events/congress/ congress-programme/call-for-abstract/

What to expect at #RESUS26: • Expert Keynotes – Hear from leading authorities in resuscitation science.

• Hands-On Workshops – Develop practical skills in advanced resuscitation techniques.

• Scientific & Poster Sessions – Present and explore the latest research.

• Networking Opportunities – Connect with international peers and collaborators.

• Innovation Showcase – Learn about cutting-edge technologies and solutions from industry partners.

The full programme details and registration information will be available within a few weeks. For updates visit www.erc.edu/events/congress/general-information/

US HOMELAND SECURITY ADVANCES COUNTERDRONE TECHNOLOGIES

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he Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has opened a new office dedicated to procuring and deploying drone and counterdrone technologies, with an $115m investment to secure the FIFA World Cup 2026 matches now in the final stages..

The new DHS Program Executive Office for Unmanned Aircraft Systems and Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems will oversee strategic investments in drone and counter-drone technologies that can outpace evolving threats and tactics.

the cartels, protect our infrastructure, and keep Americans safe as they attend festivities and events during a historic year of America’s 250th birthday and FIFA 2026,” noted Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

Other key Homeland Security initiatives to secure American airspace include: • Industry Engagement: DHS recently requested proposals from the counter-drone industry for a new $1.5 billion contract vehicle, enabling components such as Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to strategically acquire advanced technologies to protect their officers and US citizens.

• Expanded Authorities: In December 2025, DHS authorities were broadened, authorising all department components, state, local, tribal, and territorial law enforcement partners, and correctional agencies to fully combat drone threats.

The Program Executive Office can be reached at drones@dhs.gov.

The Office has already started its work, having recently finalised the $115 million investment in counterdrone technologies that will be critical in securing America250 and 2026 FIFA World Cup venues.

“The creation of the DHS Program Executive Office will help us continue to secure the border and cripple

• Rapid Grant Deployment: In December 2025 FEMA completed the fastest non-disaster grant award in the history of the Department, awarding $250m in grants for counter-drone capabilities to the 11 states hosting FIFA World Cup 2026 matches and the National Capital Region.

President Trump initially signed the law in 2018 that gave the DHS the authority to detect and mitigate drones.

Since then, the Department has conducted over 1,500 missions to protect the US from illicit drone activities.

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INTERNATIONAL NEWS

WHO WONDERS ‘IS THE WORLD PREPEPARED FOR THE NEXT PANDEMIC?’

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he World Health Organisation (WHO) is now asking ‘Is the world better prepared red for the next pandemic?’ six years after its Director-General declared the outbreak of a COVID-19 a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

“The pandemic taught all of us many lessons – especially that global threats demand a global response,” noted WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, during his address at the opening of the 158th session of the WHO Executive Board on 2 February, adding that “solidarity is the best immunity”.

During the emergency phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, WHO co-ordinated the global response, supporting countries with preparedness, surveillance, diagnostics, clinical care, medical countermeasures, access to oxygen, country readiness and deployment of COVID-19 vaccines, vaccine safety monitoring, and evidence-based guidance.

WHO recommended 13 vaccines for emergency use, guiding countries and UN agencies in their procurement, and led global coordination on research and development, and setting standards for vaccines, tests, and treatments. WHO also provided countries with strategic and policy recommendations, technical guidance, and tools.

Since the WHO Director-General lifted the Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) in May 2023 and the emergency phase ended, the organisation has continued to lead the global COVID-19 response, working with governments and partners to shift from emergency measures to long-term, integrated management of COVID-19 and other coronavirus threats.

To guide this shift, WHO has developed a strategic and operational plan to help countries manage COVID-19 as part of routine health systems. The plan promotes sustainable, evidence-based management of coronavirus threats, aligning COVID-19 responses with broader strategies for respiratory disease control and public health resilience.

Applying lessons learned from COVID-19, WHO, Member States and partners have delivered significant advances in pandemic preparedness, prevention and response. This included the adoption of the historic WHO Pandemic Agreement in May 2025, which sets out comprehensive approach to pandemic prevention, preparedness and response that improves both global health security and global health equity.

Its conclusion demonstrated the strength of multilateralism. Members states are now negotiating the Pathogen Access and Benefits Sharing (PABS) system annex to the Pandemic Agreement ahead of the World Health Assembly, which will take place on 18-23 May.

Pic: WHO / Blink Media - Fabeha Monir COVID-19: Bangladesh

ESTONIA ADOPTS NEW CELL BROADCAST EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM

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new €3.7 million cell broadcast–based emergency alert system will be completed and introduced in Estonia by 2027, which will be faster and more flexible than current SMS notifications, according to government ministers.

Testing has shown that Estonia's current SMSbased warning system is slow and inefficient, prompting officials to consider alternatives. Minister of the Interior Igor Taro said the new system will send messages about life-threatening events to people's smartphones within seconds.

"This is a modern and efficient solution whose implementation we have considered before, but until now we did not have the budget to develop it. Now that the necessary funding is available, we can move forward and

The 5G broadcasting ‘pocket siren’ test took place in Tallinn, Pärnu and Rakvere on 16 July 2025. (Source: ERR)

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adopt a system that operates in many countries worldwide and enables alerts to be sent quickly, with sound, light, and vibration notifications," he said.

The new system will be used in the future alongside the broadcasting network solution known as the "pocket siren," explained Hedi Arukase, Head of the Civil Protection Department at Estonia’s Ministry of the Interior.

"For people, the cell broadcast solution does not look any different from the 5G broadcast or broadcasting network solution (pocket siren) currently being developed with EU funds. The messages still arrive quickly on smartphones and alert people with sound, vibration, and light," she said. The difference lies in the technology and network through which the messages will be sent in the future.

The different technologies will support each other in case one of the alert systems fails to operate for some reason, clarified Ministry of the Interior communications adviser Kristina Kukk. The project is currently in the planning and preparation phase. "The next stages of the project will see development, testing and gradual implementation. The solution should be in wider use by the end of 2027 at the latest," Arukase said.

The €3.67m allocated to the system will cover development and implementation costs such as software and system development, testing, and integration into the existing emergency alert system, Arukase said. In addition to the allocated funds, there will be an estimated €500,000 in annual administrative and maintenance costs, she added.

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