Emergency Services 68

Emergency Services Ireland

ORGANISED CRIMINAL GROUPS TAP INTO LUCRATIVE CYBER CRIME MARKET KEY EVENTS UNDERWAY TO CELEBRATE AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA CENTENARY

NEW INSPECTOR OF PRISONS SET TO MAKE HIS MARK

STALKING NOW A STANDALONE OFFENCE UNDER NEW LEGISLATION

Emergency Services Ireland

SUMMER 2022

CONTENTS 4

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NEWS UPDATE CYBER SECURITY

ORGANISED CRIMINAL GROUPS TAP INTO LUCRATIVE CYBER CRIME MARKET KEY EVENTS UNDERWAY TO CELEBRATE AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA CENTENARY

NEW INSPECTOR OF PRISONS SET TO MAKE HIS MARK

STALKING NOW A STANDALONE OFFENCE UNDER NEW LEGISLATION

ISSUE 68

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IRISH COAST GUARD

‘Coast Guard saving lives in Ireland for 200 years’ – a commemorative booklet that traces the organisation’s history from its establishment by a British act of parliament in January 1822 – has been compiled by Joe Ryan, retired radio marine officer with the Coast Guard.

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DEFENCE FORCES

The world is facing an unprecedented level of cyber risk, and the reality of today’s cyber threat landscape is a sophisticated underground economy worth more than $6bn and it has surpassed drug trafficking as the number one crime of choice by organised criminal groups.

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FIRE SAFETY

Fire safety awareness topped the 6th International Safety Education seminar agenda in Dublin recently, which also included the presentation of the European Fire Safety Award to Leitrim County Council Fire Service, as the lead partner for the BFireSafe@School project.

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EMERGENCY RESPONSE

GOAL’s Emergency Response Team has established an operational base in Lviv, to scale up its programmes in Eastern Ukraine, where thousands of internally displaced people, mostly women, children and elderly people, are caught on the frontline of the conflict.

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POLICING AUTHORITY

The Policing Authority has published its latest list of priorities for An Garda Síochána over the next three years, which incorporates feedback from the public consultation process and ongoing stakeholder engagement.

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GARDA CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS

The Commission on the Defence Forces has issued several recommendations in its final report to the Government. These propose increasing the current €1.1bn defence budget by 200%, expanding the Naval Service fleet to 12 ships and equipping the Air Corps with long-range transport aircraft, plus a squadron of up to 24 fighter jets to police Irish skies.

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IRISH PRISON SERVICE

The appointment of international human rights lawyer Mark Kelly as the new Inspector of Prisons has come at a time with plans in the pipeline to expand the role of the office to include independent monitoring of detention across the criminal justice sector in Ireland.

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GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE

Gender-based violence and harassment of women has come to the fore more than ever this year, and now for the first time in Ireland, legislation will be put in place to protect against gender-based crimes and to categorise stalking as a standalone criminal offence.

54 Several initiatives and events are taking place throughout the year to mark the centenary of the establishment of An Garda Síochána in 1922, and the enactment of the Irish Free State Constitution.

WATER SAFETY IRELAND

Clare McGrath’s objective as the new Chair of Water Safety Ireland, during her five-year term of office, is to promote the necessary rescue training and skills to help in the prevention of water-related fatalities and accidents in Ireland.

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RIVER DODDER FLOOD PROTECTION PROJECT

Flood Protection – Enhanced Environment Civic Amenity

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CONTENTS SUMMER 2022

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NATIONAL REMEMBRANCE DAY

IRISH HEART FOUNDATION

The Irish Heart Foundation has called for action to remove VAT on defibrillators as soon as is allowable under EU law, with the changes in EU legislation to give the Government power to abolish what the charity has condemned for years as “a tax on saving lives”.

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COMMUNITY SAFETY AWARD

An initiative to promote fire, road and water safety awareness nationwide, rolled out by the frontline agencies last year in a bid to help reduce fatalities and injuries during busy bank holiday weekends, took home the silver from this year’s Community and Council Awards.

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LITTLE BLUE HEROES

The Little Blue Heroes Foundation continues to provide practical and financial support to the families of children who have serious illnesses in Ireland, and grants the wishes of those children to become Honorary Gardaí to foster positive engagement with An Garda Síochána.

A National Day of Remembrance to mark the efforts of the volunteers, frontline workers and members of the public during the pandemic, and to especially honour those people who tragically lost their lives due to Covid-19, took place in March.

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www.emergency-services.ie

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JADOTVILLE & NIEMBA SIEGES

Between 1960 and 1964 up to 6,000 Irish soldiers served with the UN in the Democratic Republic of Congo. More than 30 recommendations, mostly associated with Jadotville and Niemba, were disregarded for reasons that continue to remain an enigma and no explanation for this neglect has been ever offered to date.

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CROSS-BORDER EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

The Cross Border Emergency Management Group has developed an operational plan for 2022-2025 to enhance co-operation and resilience in emergency management and civil protection, consistent with the principles underpinned in the framework documents north and south.

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EMERGENCY SERVICES SHOW

The Emergency Services Show returns to Birmingham’s NEC on 21 and 22 September and will showcase how technology and innovation are transforming emergency response for all blue light services and first responders.

Like all other emergency services, mountain rescue teams had to adapt to the ‘new normal’ during the height of the pandemic.

Kenny Roberts, Secretary of Mountain Rescue Ireland, says that training continued apace as teams responded to those people needing urgent assistance, while rescuers operated on high Covid alert.

PUBLISHER Patrick Aylward EDITOR Grace Heneghan

GRAPHIC DESIGN Niall Mc Hugh ADMINISTRATION Anne-Marie Moran CIRCULATION Audrey Fitzgerald

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UK NEWS

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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 © 2022

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NEWS UPDATE

THOUSANDS OF DRONES PREDICTED TO BE IN OPERATION BY 2030

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ivil defence, emergency response, public safety and environmental monitoring applications are already realising the benefits of drone technology, according to a report on international best practice and future trends in drone technology.

The report was delivered as part of an initiative to accelerate the potential of drones across local government in Ireland. The project was co-funded by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER) Public Service Innovation Fund and led by Dublin City Council’s Smart Dublin team.

The DCC Smart team has joined forces with the Local Government Management Association (LGMA), the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA), Maynooth University and others to consider current and future applications of drone technology and to maximise the wide benefits of such technology.

The joint author of the best practice report, Philip Butterworth Hayes, stated: "Drones are being deployed globally by local governments, fire services and emergency responders to deliver significant benefits to communities.

Increased technology advances will make it possible to automate and scale these services globally, while it's only a matter of time before we see passenger services being rolled out. Paris is likely to be the first city in Europe to operate electric air taxi services, as early as 2024, in time for the Olympic Games.

Tim McCarthy, one of Ireland’s top drone researchers to lead a multi-million-euro projects with Science Foundation Ireland and Airbus, highlighted the importance of collaboration, if Ireland is to realise the potential of drones.

“To move to the next stage there needs to be significant collaboration with local authorities, industry, the IAA, communities, and other government agencies to collectively roll out these new technologies and to shape a future where drones are helping to support communities in automated environmental monitoring and specialist support services.

"We are already witnessing an increasing array of developments in the drone industry including robotic platforms, multimodal sensor technologies coupled with machine learning processors. These are helping us to monitor and manage our urban spaces, delivering more efficient services and improving our overall quality of life.”

EMERGENCY AEROMEDICAL SERVICE CELEBRATES 10TH ANNIVERSARY

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elebrations were held recently at Baldonnel Aerodrome to mark the 10th anniversary of the Emergency Aeromedical Service, which has become a vital asset in terms of critical pre-hospital care, having completed over 3,500 missions over the last decade.

Initially set up in 2012 for a 12-month trial period, the aim was to assess the level and type of dedicated Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) required in Ireland in light of the closures of Roscommon Hospital and other regional facilities.

The Emergency Aeromedical Service (EAS), which is based in Custume Barracks, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, is a joint project between the HSE and the Defence Forces. Air Corps flight crews work alongside National Ambulance Service Advance Paramedics in a dedicated military helicopter for the rapid transfer of critical patients to the most

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EMERGENCY SERVICES IRELAND

Prof Cathal O’Donnell, Medical Director of the National Ambulance Service, pictured with Brigadier General Rory O’Connor, General Officer Commanding of the Air Corps, at the celebration to mark the 10th Anniversary of the Emergency Aeromedical Service. appropriate hospital in the country.

Defence Forces Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Seán Clancy and the General Officer Commanding (GOC) Air Corps, Brigadier General Rory O’Connor joined with both serving and retired personnel who worked with the Emergency Aeromedical Service at the celebration alongside several patients and their families who required the services of EAS over the last decade.

Brigadier General Rory O'Connor

said: “This service has made an incredible difference to the people of the State. It’s the hard work, dedication and professionalism of the people involved in providing the service that should be acknowledged.”

Prof Cathal O'Donnell, National Ambulance Service Medical Director, said that at the heart of this collaboration is the patient, who is having the worst day of their life. “This is the reason we are doing this and the benefit this collaboration brings to so many people and their families.”

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NEWS UPDATE

‘OPERATION TWIN TRACKS’ PATROLS TO PREVENT ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR ON PUBLIC TRANSPORT

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ardaí are engaging in a special operation on two different dates in June and July that will see them patrol the DART, Luas and eight inter-city rail routes to prevent and detect antisocial behaviour.

As part of ‘Operation Twin Tracks’, two national community engagement and rail safety partnership days are taking place on 3 June and 27 July, in partnership with the DART and InterCity rail, and the Luas. The focus is on pro-engagement and a high level of visibility on the rail networks and at train stations nationwide.

The two primary elements of the operation are community engagement and rail safety, to be achieved by high visibility public engagement and delivery of crime prevention advice. High visibility patrolling will operate between the hours of 3pm and 11pm on each day within the Dublin Region (Connolly and Heuston Stations) and nationwide on eight intercity routes.

In addition, local crime prevention officers and community policing Gardaí will deliver crime prevention advice at community engagement/crime prevention stands at several key stations in Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford, Westport and Wexford.

Pictured (l-r): Billy Gilpin, Director of Iarnród Éireann, Garda Supt Barry Doyle, and Harry Seymour, Transdev Dublin (Luas) Some of the key objectives are to engage with the public and provide crime prevention advice, to support Irish Rail and Transdev Ireland (Luas) personnel in tackling these issues, to detect and investigate crime, and to improve rail safety.

TIME TO REGISTER ON NATIONAL AMBULANCE SERVICE AED REGISTRAR

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utomated External Defibrillators (AEDs) across all local communities should be placed on the National Ambulance Service AED Registrar, to pinpoint the location of the defibrillator should it be required by members of the public.

the use of a defibrillator gives the best chance of survival and having AEDs close by is essential in this regard,” Ross noted.

The AEDs and cabinets in Dunlavin were secured through a combination of funding and donations from Wicklow County Council, Trench Control, Essential Health and Safety Training and Consultancy Ltd, The Ireland This statement by Amanda Ross, North Leinster’s Funds’ Heart of the Community and ‘Out of Hospital Community Engagement Officer for the National Cardiac Arrest Strategy for Ireland’ funding.

Ambulance Service (NAS), followed the recent installation Michelle Brewster, co-ordinator of Dunlavin CFR of two new AEDs in Dunlavin, bringing to four the Group, said, “We are always looking to strengthen the number of devices available for public use in the Wicklow chain of survival in our community. As well as the other village. defibrillators in Dunlavin, these will also be linked to the “When a patient is in cardiac arrest, early CPR and NAS emergency dispatch system and will be available for public use in a cardiac emergency.

“We want to thank Dunlavin Fire Station and Jonathon Swift National School for allowing access to their buildings and helping us to deliver lifesaving equipment to the community.”

Aisling Grace, Chairperson of Dunlavin & District Forum, said that the community spirit and the many volunteer community groups in Dunlavin all work to make it a better, nicer, safer place to live and work. Dunlavin CFR Scheme celebrates 17 years in operation this One of the new AEDs is located Dunlavin’s national school. (Pic: Michelle Brewster). year.

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NEWS UPDATE

CONFERENCE TO MARK 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE GOOD FRIDAY AGREEMENT

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ueen’s University Belfast will host an international conference in 2023 to mark the 25th Anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, following the success of the Building Peace Conference that marked the 20th anniversary of the Agreement in 2018.

The conference, which will be organised jointly by the Senator George J. Mitchell Institute for Global Peace, Security and Justice and the University’s Public Engagement Directorate, will take place on 17-18 April 2023.

President and Vice-Chancellor of Queen’s University, Prof Ian Greer, said: “We are privileged to again mark such an important anniversary of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement, which will pay tribute to the significant achievements of the then local political leaders and the Governments of the UK, Ireland, and the USA. “This two-day event will provide an opportunity for dialogue and reflection on the success of the peace process alongside a timely debate on how we as a community take the next steps to building a shared future which focuses on delivering socioeconomic progress for everyone.”

Queen’s Chancellor, Secretary Hillary Clinton, said: “It is fitting that Queen’s University Belfast will again host a major international event to mark the anniversary of the 1998 Belfast/Good Friday Agreement.

“In April 2023, we can rightly reflect on the significant achievements made since 1998. More importantly, we can discuss how we shape what the next 25 years of life in the

region will look like. Our students and alumni at Queen’s are well placed not only to contribute to that discussion, but also to lead the way in building a better future for everyone in our community.” The final programme for the event will be announced in early 2023.

Prof Ian Greer, President and Vice-Chancellor of Queen’s University, pictured with Queen’s Chancellor, Secretary Hillary Clinton.

NEW LOUGH REE RNLI STATION OPENING MARKS 10TH ANNIVERSARY

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ough Ree RNLI hosted a dual celebration at Coosan Point, Co. Westmeath, when the charity’s new state-of-the-art lifeboat station was officially opened recently, with the station also celebrating its 10th anniversary.

the-art facility provides a training base for the volunteer crew and immediate access to the lake for the charity’s lifeboat.

At a special service of dedication, the charity’s Atlantic 85 class lifeboat, Tara Scougall was also officially named in honour of a mother, daughter and wife who Built at a cost of €1.2m on a site donated by Inland lived an active life on the water before her premature Waterways Association of Ireland, the lifeboat station death from cancer at the age of 43. has taken just over two years to construct. The state-ofTara was introduced to the water by her late father John and while sharing his passion for boating, she also ran an online yachting and boating magazine. An avid traveller and explorer in her professional life, Tara was part of the Microsoft team who created the travel site.

Lough Ree RNLI welcomed Tara’s mother Diana, her husband James and her children Eleanor and James to Athlone for the official service of dedication for the lifeboat named in her honour.

Kevin Ganly, Lough Ree RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager, thanked James Scougall for “this generous gift in Tara’s memory which has funded this lifeboat”.

He added that the opening of new lifeboat station “is a great way to celebrate 10 years Lough Ree RNLI celebrated its 10th anniversary with the recent of the RNLI on Lough Ree”. opening of the state-of-the-art station.

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NEWS UPDATE

DUBLIN FIRE BRIGADE WELCOMES NEW RECRUIT FIREFIGHTERS

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and honour.”

At the end of June 33 new recruits entered the training centre to undergo the same training drill as these 44

The 44 probationary firefighters will develop their operational skills and experiences. They will then complete a two-year paramedic programme which includes a 13-week classroom-based course and mentored field internships in partnership with the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI).

The Lord Mayor of Dublin Alison Gilliland said, “Dublin Fire Brigade’s emergency fire and ambulance personnel go about their work in a dedicated, professional and courageous manner. They have earned great respect and are rightfully held in high esteem.”

DFB’s Chief Fire Officer Dennis Keeley added: “Every recruit follows in the footsteps of a long line of first responders who have carried the badges of their fire service with pride

Dublin Lord Mayor Alison Gilliland presented recruit firefighter Conor Barry with the T. P. O’Brien 'Silver Axe' award for best recruit, pictured alongside course director and District Officer Paul Daffy.

ublin’s latest cohort of recruit firefighters recently participated in their Passing-Out Parade, demonstrating the skills they’ve learned following the intensive 17-week programme at Dublin Fire Brigade’s Training Centre.

now probationary firefighters. Later this year Dublin Fire Brigade will open its recruitment competition for new firefighter/paramedics.

‘RESPOND 2022’ TO REVEAL RESULTS OF NUI GALWAY COVID SURVEY

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he results of a survey, undertaken by a research team at NUI Galway, on the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on Community First Responder (CFR) groups and schemes, will be presented at RESPOND 2022, which will now take place on Saturday 17 September, at the Mullingar Park Hotel, Co. Westmeath.

According to NUI Galway’s research team, over 340 CFRs around the country submitted their detailed responses to the survey. “Many positive comments underscored the importance and value of Community First Response (CFR) schemes, as well as insights on the support required by these schemes following the pandemic,” noted research project team leaders Dr Siobhán Masterson and Dr Eithne Heffernan.

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CYBER SECURITY

IT TAKES A NETWORK TO DEFEAT A NETWORK The world is facing an unprecedented level of cyber risk, with geopolitical tensions increasing the likelihood and the potential impact of adverse cyber events. The reality of today’s cyber threat landscape is a sophisticated underground economy worth more than $6 billion and it has surpassed drug trafficking as the number one crime of choice by organised criminal groups, writes Paul C. Dwyer.

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e would be naïve to consider the landscape is made up of only criminals with the motivation of profit. There are blurred lines between cyber threat actor groups. Criminals work alongside nation states and other groups with dark motivations. There are no morals or ethics in the ecosystem of cyber threat actors.

One of their keys to success is the efficient and supportive, innovate community they all thrive on. Think of a petri dish of evil – all feeding off each other, they grow stronger and more dangerous by the day. So, where is Ireland in all this? Are we a target for nation state actors? Are we prepared? What should we be doing? Let’s consider these questions by referencing a recent example as a case study – the cyber attack on the HSE network.

INFAMOUS HSE CYBER ATTACK Around St Patrick’s Day in 2021, the ‘bad guys’ apparently sent a malware link to a user on the HSE network, which eventually led to the infamous ‘HSE Cyber Attack’. Keep in mind it was May before the attack was noticed giving the malefactors plenty of ‘dwell time’ on the HSE digital estate before being noticed and even then, it was only when the criminals notified the HSE. The criminal group responsible is a highly organised efficient organisation known as the ‘Conti’ ransomware group. It operates like a successful and efficient Silicon Valley tech company, with a C-level structure, a business plan and even a marketing department. They have 62 staff on

the payroll and last year turned just over $180 million. A very successful business model indeed, no doubt fuelled by the decision for cyber insurance companies to pay ransoms.

So, if we know so much, why have they not been arrested? Well, the ‘Conti’ ransomware group are ‘protected’ by the GRU (Russian Military Intelligence) and they pay for this protection in many ways, including doing ‘favours’ for their overlords. The GRU works with the FSB (Russian Counterintelligence Service ex KGB) in carrying out cyber attacks on nation states, organisations, and individuals around the world.

All of these organisations answer to one overlord, Vladimir Putin. By way of an example of this nefarious symbiotic relationship, consider the fact that the ‘Conti’ ransomware group has a premium section on their website to announce the latest victims of their attacks.

The HSE had pride of place there in May 2021, listed for the world to see as a victim of a ransomware attack. The day Russia invaded Ukraine, the Conti ransomware group used that premium space to tell the world – Vladimir Putin had their ‘FULL SUPPORT’ against Ukraine.

Subsequent evidence has illustrated even more than tenuous links between the most dangerous and successful cyber threat actor groups and Russia.

RUSSIA DOESN’T HAVE MONOPOLY However, we must remember these blurred lines between criminality and nation states is not exclusive to Russia.

There are also military units such as ‘Unit 61398’ of the PLA Peoples

Liberation Army in China, the North Koreans and many more around the world who, at the very least, provide safe harbour for cybercriminals to ‘use them’ when required.

The reality of military units being engaged to ‘hack’ legitimate businesses around the world means it is essentially an ‘unfair fight’ for individuals and organisations that wish not to get caught up as collateral damage in cyber skirmishes.

As I write this article, countries and regulatory bodies around the world have issued ‘cyber warnings’ – aka batten down the cyber hatches.

In Ireland we have received these warnings from sector specific regulatory bodies such as the Central Bank of Ireland.

TARGET FOR CYBER CRIMINALS To answer my initial question ‘where is Ireland in all this?’ we are bang in the centre of the cross hairs of the cyber threat actors. Ireland is the European home to most of the largest US ‘born on the Internet’ tech giants.

We host most of Europe’s personal data and as a neutral non-military state we do not have the same ‘protections’ as other countries. So, yes, we are a target for cyber criminals and nation state actors. Cyber security companies in Ireland are protecting, defending and responding to incidents on a daily basis with their clients.

And what about the Irish Government? Well on 16 December 2020, the EU released a Cyber Strategy. This is supported by an unprecedented amount of funding in excess of €4.5 billion. The EU Strategy is comprised of key strategic pieces

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CYBER SECURITY

of legislation such as NIS 2.0, CER and DORA. These are instruments that will essentially become the law of the EU cyber land. They effect how businesses will operate and the safety of our digital society. They can drive efficiency, reduce risk, increase harmonisation and fuel the digital economy.

In 2011 the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) was established in Ireland and is under the remit of the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications. This is doubt for historic reasons but is far from an ideal position today considering the holistic societal risks posed by cyber threats that include but are not limited to legal and military. If Covid has taught us one thing, it is that we are interconnected and interdependent.

It has also accelerated digital transformation and our reliance in a digital ‘way of life’. So, getting cyber security to be treated from a ‘techno – socio’ perspective is an imperative.

TIME TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY Ireland has already demonstrated that we are NOT prepared for significant attacks on our critical infrastructure and still paying the prices for the HSE attack, estimated by many to surpass €100m, not to mention the human impact on a health sector.

For businesses and individuals outside of government circles, it must feel like they are operating in the dark. What should they be doing?

Where is the leadership? The key to defeating cyber threats is leadership and collaboration!

As President of the ICTTF International Cyber Threat Task Force, I hosted a national discussion on cyber security at the Cyber Expo conference at the end of April, which included a presentation

by Senator Gerard P. Craughwell, and a panel discussion featuring IT experts Pat Larkin, Kevin O’Loughlin, Desiree Lee and Michael Conway.

There was also a call to establish a National Cyber Advisory Board (NCAB) – an entity made up of various sectors and perspectives of society that could challenge, inform and support the Government’s cyber strategy in Ireland. For more information visit www.cybertaskforce.ie An inaugural meeting took place in May and

those present share a passionate desire to protect and support all facets of Ireland from cyber threats. NCAB have written to the NCSC to seek a meeting in order to explore how best it can assist the NCSC with their mission.

When it comes to cyber threats, I need you to consider the ‘unattended bag’ at an airport. You see it, you sense it may be a risk to you and to others. You notify security, as safety is everyone’s responsibility. We need to think like that when it comes to cyber threats, or even consider Covid, when by working together we reduced the risk.

As we all take responsibility for our personal and business ‘cyber hygiene’ it makes it harder for ‘cyber evil’ to propagate. The ‘bad guys’ operate as a network, they support, train and collaborate. Well, we believe ‘It Takes a Network to Defeat a Network’ and the ICTTF will continue its mission to defeat cyber evil, we welcome our input and support.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Paul C Dwyer is recognised as one of the world’s foremost experts on cyber security, risk and privacy.

He serves as President of the ICTTF International Cyber Threat Task Force and CEO of Cyber Risk International. For more information visit www.ICTTF.org www.cri.ie and www.paulcdwyer.com

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CYBER SECURITY

IRELAND LACKS CYBER-ATTACK AWARENESS AND RESILIENCE

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ndependent Senator Gerard Craughwell has identified several challenges faced by Ireland, in relation to major threats posed by organised cyber criminals. Addressing this year’s Cyber Conference in Dublin, he said that “An Garda Síochána is unique in providing both the policing and intelligence services of the state, yet there is no parliamentary committee oversight of intelligence”.

Senator Craughwell claimed that this has made it impossible to evaluate just how well Ireland’s intelligence services are performing. And he also pointed to the fact that the post of

National Cyber Security Director has been left unfilled for over two years.

“Things must change and the HSE was our wake-up call. However, is anyone listening? Thirty per cent or more of the EU data and a significant amount of economic activity is being transacted through Ireland.

“If we do not get our cyber security act together how long will this last?

We must become the go-to country for major corporations to invest in, safe in the knowledge that we are a society that is cyber aware and cyber secure,” he added.

With the National Cyber Security

The government has been called upon to revaluate its National Cyber Security Strategy, in light of what one independent senator describes as Ireland’s ‘disjointed’ intelligence and security system, whilst leading cyber security experts claim that businesses need to share information on attacks and create a greater level of awareness to help bolster Ireland’s cyber resilience.

Report by Grace Heneghan.

Strategy currently devised by the Department of Environment, Climate, Communications, Transport, the senator claimed that the Government views cyber security as a communications issue! “The Department of Defence or the Department of Justice, Law and Reform are not responsible for counteracting cyber threats.

The Minister of State responsible for cyber security is Ossian Smith, under the remit of Public Procurement and eGovernment.

It is not covered by senior Minister Eamon Ryan.”

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CYBER SECURITY

The panel discussion at the fifth Cyber Expo and Conference event on 28 April in Dublin featured leading cybersecurity industry experts (l-r): Michael Conway, CEO of Renaissance, Desiree Lee, Chief Technology Officer at Armis; Kevin O’Loughlin, CEO of Nostra, Pat Larkin, CEO of Ward Solutions, and Senator Gerard Craughwell, with presenter and facilitator Paul Hearns, PJH Consulting, technology content strategist and journalist.

SHARING SECURITY INTELLIGENCE He called for a range of initiatives that would recalibrate Ireland’s national security strategy, including establishing a National Intelligence and Security Service. The sharing of intelligence across security services, and the need for educational programmes about the dangers posed by cyberattacks.

“There are several intelligencegathering agencies operating within the State – the Gardaí, Defence Forces and government departments – all of whom operate independently of each other. Is Ireland, including the civil service, politics, Defence Forces and An Garda Síochána totally against the establishment of an National Intelligence Security Service? If so, then why?” he wondered.

In advocating for partnerships and collaborations between the public and the private sectors, Senator Craughwell believed that there must be “an in-house ‘Cyber Tzar’, in every state and semi-state organisation, who must be employed by and report directly to the National Cyber Security Centre and not to local management”.

He added that a person in this role would report on cyber security threats and data protection issues to an

assistant director responsible for either government, semi-states, education and training or the business sector.

He also advocated for citizenbased training programmes, and wondered: “When there is a cyberattack does it take something like RTE’s ‘Joe Duffy Show’ to provide public information? Should the public be informed, and advised what to look for and how to protect themselves?”

EXPERT PANEL DISCUSSION During a panel discussion, several leading cyber security industry experts looked at the threats posed by cybercriminals to foreign direct investment (FDI) in Ireland, as they explored possible concrete initiatives taken to help bolster Ireland’s cyber resilience.

Senator Craughwell also joined the panel, which included Michael Conway, CEO of Renaissance and founder of Cyber Expo and Conference Ireland; Desiree Lee, Chief Technology Officer (Data) at Armis; Pat Larkin, CEO and Co-founder of Ward Solutions; and Kevin O’Loughlin, CEO of MSP Nostra.

The overwhelming consensus was that a greater level of awareness

and education of cyber-attacks in Ireland is needed, which the panellists claimed was not properly being provided at state level.

Pat Larkin, CEO of Ward Solutions, pointed to significant attacks taking place daily for financial gain at huge costs. “Many cyber-attacks go underreported. The responsibility to change the situation falls on the business

Independent Senator Gerard Craughwell sits on the Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence. Before working in politics, he served in the British Army and the Irish Army. He was also president of the Teachers’ Union of Ireland between 2012 and 2014.

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CYBER SECURITY

sector directly, due to an insignificant input from the state. to develop and hone their craft,” she noted.

“Greater intelligence sharing is needed, to enable both Michael Conway, CEO of Renaissance, also pointed business and industry leaders to share information on to a definite lack of awareness and education within their incidents and accidents. The human firewall is always the business sector, and a lack of continuity. “We need an effective form of control, so forums will need to be to revisit the issue, since resilience is not widespread, established to share information,” he added, pointing to a especially within the SME sector, which form the main growing need for a National Cyber Security Centre. part of Ireland Inc. A greater level of cyber awareness Kevin O’Loughlin, CEO of Nostra, one of Ireland’s and direction is needed, which is not being provided at leading Irish cybersecurity specialists and Managed IT state level.” services, said the risk of cyberattacks on Irish businesses and government agencies is at an all-time high.

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FIRE SAFETY

FIRE SAFETY LESSONS LEARNED AT INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR Improvements in fire safety awareness topped the 6th International Safety Education seminar agenda, hosted by the Chief Fire Officers’ Association at Dublin’s Croke Park Conference Centre recently, which also included the presentation of the European Fire Safety Award to Leitrim County Council Fire Service, the lead partner for the BFireSafe@School project.

W

ith continued support from the European Fire Safety Alliance and the Federation of European Fire Officers, the seminar has grown to become a significant biennial event in the fire safety calendar in Europe.

From its origins in Finland in 2011, it has continued its mission to connect people committed to creating a higher level of community fire safety awareness and education.

Seminars have since been held in Helsinki (2011 and 2013), Stockholm (2015), Arnhem (2017) and Antwerp (2019), while the 2022 seminar in Dublin attracted over 150 delegates, speakers and fire industry colleagues from 18 countries, including UK, Europe, USA and Australia.

Topics on this year’s agenda included connecting with communities and vulnerable groups to collaborate on fire safety education, in addition to highlighting the latest developments in innovation and technology. A technology exhibition showcasing the latest innovations in the field of fire safety was held alongside the two-day seminar.

The official handover of the ISES trophy from Ireland to Austria for 2023 was made

by Finian Joyce, Leitrim’s Chief Fire Officer, to Austrian Fire Brigade Association’s Raphael Koller. The next International Safety Education Seminar will be held in the Austrian city of Linz, on 23-24 November 2023, which will include the presentation of the next European Fire Safety Award. The closing date for applications will be in midsummer 2023.

EUROPEAN FIRE SAFETY AWARD One of the highlights was the presentation of the European Fire Safety Award for the Best Community Fire Safety project in Europe to Leitrim County Council Fire Service – the lead partner in the BFireSafe@School project.

Leitrim CFO Finian Joyce pictured with Maria Walsh, MEP, Krzysztof Biskup, Chair of European Fire Safety Alliance inset, and also with project partners from Ireland, Spain, Lithuania and Finland.

It was one of 12 community fire safety projects submitted from countries throughout Europe. The Erasmus+ funded project has developed a new fire safety education programme for post-primary schools throughout Europe. Leitrim County Council is the project lead of the consortium, which consists of nine partners from Ireland, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Lithuania and Spain.

Over 100 teachers in postprimary schools all over Ireland have been trained to deliver the programme. Consisting of 10 modules delivered in the classroom and online it has been translated into 10 European languages and is suitable for pupils aged 12-18.

The BFireSafe@School project is now being rolled out in other EU countries, in addition to the development of a new online learning management system to manage the content, while a teacher’s handbook also forms part of the package.

Several apps have also been developed to assist in the programme’s delivery, such as an Augmented Reality App called ‘FireSmart AR’ app, a Virtual Reality app called ‘Fire in the Home’, and a gaming app called ‘Rescue Heroes’.

For information visit www.eurofsa.org and for further details about the fire safety project visit www.bfiresafeatschool.eu or contact Finian Joyce at fjoyce@ leitrimcoco.ie.

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OVERSEAS AID

GOAL SCALES UP RESPONSE IN EASTERN UKRAINE GOAL’s Emergency Response Team has established an operational base in Lviv, as the Irish humanitarian aid organisation scales up its programmes in Eastern Ukraine, where thousands of internally displaced people, mostly women, children and elderly people, are caught on the frontline of the conflict.

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he Irish aid agency has continued to focus on building resilience during volatile and complex crisis by setting up an operational base in the Eastern Ukrainian city of Lviv.

GOAL previously responded to the humanitarian crisis in the Donbas region of Eastern Ukraine between 2015 and 2017, due to the 2014 conflict and is the only Irish aid agency currently registered in Ukraine. The 2022 conflict has now seen over 4.3 million people flee Ukraine, while over 7.1 million people have been internally displaced.

With 45 years of expertise in understanding the nature and impact of humanitarian emergencies and conflict, GOAL works in acute and protracted crises worldwide. As the Ukrainian conflict becomes more protracted, the Irish charity’s in-depth knowledge of the complexity and risks involved in working in volatile conflict zones provides a platform to overcome

the myriad of challenges emerging, such as humanitarian access.

Dr Georgina Jordan, GOAL’s Head of Emergency Response, said: “There are multiple factors to respond to in this horrific conflict. GOAL continues to deliver vital first aid kits, food kits and other essentials to those affected within Ukraine. We are also preparing to provide cash and voucher assistance, legal advice and psychosocial support to internally displaced people in the eastern part of the country.”

NATIONWIDE SUPPORT According to Dr Joran, GOAL’s focus will be to work from the ground up, with local organisations and within local systems to sustainably lift affected populations in Ukraine out of this crisis, so they can continue to function in the face of future shocks and stresses.

Eamon Sharkey, GOAL’s Director of Fundraising, Marketing and

Communications, said: “Without the generosity of people and companies across Ireland, and the support of the Irish government, GOAL and our partner aid agencies in Poland would not have been able to respond so rapidly.

“People around the country have been fantastic in donating funds and rallying their communities with fundraising drives. We need the continued help of the public to support Ukrainians in such desperate need to survive this crisis and rebuild their lives.”

GOAL remains one of the leading aid agencies supporting conflict-affected and vulnerable people in Northwest Syria since 2012 and continues to work in fragile contexts such as South Sudan and Haiti.

It has specific expertise in safeguarding, encompassing child protection, prevention of gender-based violence and protection from sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment, and will focus on these areas as it scales up its operations in Eastern Ukraine.

For more information on GOAL’s Ukraine Appeal visit: www.goalglobal.org/ukraine/

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POLICING AUTHORITY

THREE-YEAR POLICING PRIORITIES COME INTO FORCE The Policing Authority has published its latest list of priorities to be addressed by An Garda Síochána over the next three years, incorporating feedback from the public consultation process and ongoing stakeholder engagement which showed that the main themes causing concern included a rise in sexual offences, child sexual abuse and domestic abuse cases.

T

he Policing Authority’s Chief Executive, Helen Hall, said that the determination of policing priorities for the Garda Síochána is an important statutory function of the Authority.

“The fact that they are developed externally to the Garda Síochána provides an opportunity to listen to the community, and to reflect their views and concerns in the policing priorities.

Our interactive and accessible public consultation, along with our ongoing programme of stakeholder engagement, meant that the voice of the community was heard during this significant process,” she added.

In May 2021, the Policing Authority carried out a large-scale, interactive public consultation on policing priorities, which received almost 3,500 responses from a sample of the population from every county in Ireland, across cities, towns and rural areas.

RESULTS OF PUBLIC CONSULTATION The results of this public consultation showed that sexual offences and child sexual abuse was the top priority for all genders, age groups, urban/rural background, and Garda regions, with similarly high prioritisation of domestic abuse.

Increased Garda visibility and tackling anti-social behaviour were also common themes across all demographics. These areas, and many others identified by the public consultation process, have been included in the Policing Priorities for 2022-2024.

The public consultation was one step in the process of developing the latest series of policing priorities, which also included research into priorities in other jurisdictions and consultation with the Gardaí. The Policing Authority has set these priorities for the duration of the Garda Strategy Statement period 20222024, and they will be subject to annual review.

•

Rights Based and Ethical Service Delivery: To deliver a policing service in a manner that ensures that all those who encounter the Garda Síochána are dealt with in a way that: understands, respects and embodies diversity; vindicates and protects their human rights; is consistent with the Code of Ethics; and is centred on the Garda Decision Making Model.

FIVE MAIN PRIORITIES • Protecting and Supporting Victims and the Vulnerable: To deliver a policing service to victims of sexual crime, domestic abuse, and coercive control that is victim-centred, trauma-informed, effective in preventing and detecting these crimes, vindicates human rights, and trusted by victims.

•

Development of the Capacity to Strategically Manage Garda Resources: To ensure that finance, ICT, and capital assets are appropriately and strategically managed and deployed to support Garda Members, Garda Staff, and Garda Reserves. To ensure that this workforce is appropriately trained, skilled, managed, and supported to provide a service that responds to the crime environment and needs of the public.

•

•

Supporting and Ensuring Community Safety: To understand and respond to anti-social behaviour, crime, and associated quality of life issues for communities. To address these in conjunction with its partners in a way that prevents crime, reduces fear, and results in a better quality of life for communities.

Tackling Organised and Serious Crime: To prevent and disrupt the activities of organised criminals, including those of international networks, engaged in national and transnational crime and reduce their impact on communities.

An Garda Síochána has also published its Strategy Statement 2022-2024 setting out its aims in providing a policing service over the next three years, while the Policing Plan 2022 outlines the commitments by the force to the community on an annual basis. The latest Strategy Statement and annual Policing Plan were approved by the Policing Authority, with the consent of the Minister for Justice.

For further information and to download the reports visit www.policingauthority.ie/

EMERGENCY SERVICES IRELAND

27

GARDA CENTENARY (1922-2022)

SERIES OF EVENTS TO CELEBRATE CENTENARY OF AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA Several initiatives and events are taking place throughout the year to mark the centenary of the establishment of An Garda Síochána in 1922, the occupation of the Four Courts and the enactment of the Irish Free State Constitution.

An Garda Síochána will lead a comprehensive programme of events during the year to mark the key events since its establishment in 1922.

T

he Justice Sector Programme of commemorative events for 2022-2024, which forms part of the Decade of Centenaries Programme, was launched by the Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee TD in April.

“The Decade of Centenaries Programme provides a critical opportunity to focus on the development of access to historical records and primary sources from this key period.

To this end, the Department of Justice will commence several projects to provide access to records from the early decades of the State.

This will include the cataloguing of early 20th century departmental files for release to the national archives and the commissioning of a written history of the first 50 years of the 28 EMERGENCY SERVICES IRELAND

Department,” the Minister noted.

“Over the past decade, we have collectively reflected on many of the formative events in the history of our State as part of the Decade of Centenaries. The period which we are now considering saw the foundation of the State and the establishment, or, in some cases, the handing over of many of the institutions and administrative pillars which have served us since then.”

DEVELOPMENTS AND TRANSITIONS She noted 1922 was “a particularly significant year” with the foundation of An Garda Síochána and the advent of the Civil War and this was reflected in the occupation of the Four Courts, and with it the destruction of the Public Records Office.

“Both 1922 and the years that

followed saw many developments and transitions, including the end to the revolutionary Dáil Courts regime and the establishment of the Courts system of the new State.

These were tumultuous years as the new State came into being. Both the Department of Justice, its forerunner, the Department of Home Affairs, and the various other parts of the justice sector were central to that time and that work.

“The Decade of Centenaries Justice Sector Programme 2022-24 will capture some of the importance of this work and help bring some new insights and understanding to those years. This must be an open and honest discussion, and throughout we will attempt to consider all aspects of our history – those that are well known, and those which may not

GARDA CENTENARY (1922-2022)

have received enough discussion in the past.”

An Garda Síochána and the Courts Service are also leading comprehensive programmes during the year to mark the key events of the establishment of An Garda Síochána, the occupation of the Four Courts and the impact which this had on the operation of the Courts at the time, and the development and enactment of the Constitution of the Irish Free State.

The Decade of Centenaries Programme is an ongoing programme of commemoration of the period from 1912 to 1923. The justice sector commemorations programme is part of the recently published, cross-government Decade of Centenaries 2022 Programme which is co-ordinated by Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.

The programme will run until 2024 to mark the centenaries of the Courts of Justice Act 1924 (which established a new system of Courts for the Irish Free State) and the Ministers and Secretaries Act 1924 (which renamed the Department of Home Affairs as the Department of Justice).

Minister for Justice Helen McEntee will lead a series of commemorative events during 2022. (Photograph: Gareth Chaney/Collins)

Civic Guards entering Dublin Castle in 1922 and pictured with Chief Superintendent Matthis McCarthy after they took over the Castle. (Courtesy of RTE Archives).

EMERGENCY SERVICES IRELAND

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GARDA CENTENARY (1922-2022)

the event. The Garda Museum and Memorial Garden will be open to visitors.

• Special commemorative medals will be issued to all serving and retired members in June/July, accompanied by a ‘certificate of appreciation’ signed by the Justice Minister and the Garda Commissioner, with a commemorative coin to be issued to Garda staff or civilian employees.

• Renovation of the memorial cenotaph at Garda Headquarters in the Phoenix Park.

The Decade of Centenaries Programme is an ongoing programme of commemoration of the period from 1912 to 1923.

KEY COMMEMORATIVE INITIATIVES A series of commemorative events taking place during the year include the following: • In co-operation with An Post, a Garda Centenary stamp was launched in January 2022 and is available in all post offices. Special first day covers and souvenir items are also available.

• A ‘Day in The Life’ photographic project was launched on 21 February – 100 years to the day since the first member joined An Garda Síochána at the RDS in Dublin, this initiative enables Garda members and staff to take photographs, showing the public the depth and range of work undertaken across the organisation over 24 hours to keep people safe, particularly in those parts of the organisation that are not always public-facing.

• An Garda Síochána marched in this year’s St. Patrick’s Day parade in Dublin. The Garda Band was also involved in the festival.

• An Garda Síochána and Kildare County Council hosted an event in Kildare on 16 April to commemorate the Kildare Mutiny.

• On 24 May, an event took place in the Gresham Hotel to mark the historic meeting, chaired by Michael Collins in the hotel on 9 February 1922, where the Provisional Government formed a committee to set up a new police service to replace the RIC. The first recruits were subsequently sworn in at a temporary training centre at the RDS in Dublin on 21 February. This event was initially 30 EMERGENCY SERVICES IRELAND

due to take place on 9 February 2022 but was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

• An Garda Síochána will to launch a new, historical, online photo archive of policing in the first half of 2022.

• A book on the history and development of the force over the last 100 years, and the contribution of women to An Garda Síochána will be published this year.

• Several classic Garda cars and motorbikes are also being restored and these will create an ‘historic fleet’ for ceremonial purposes and other special events, including re-enactments of key events, ecumenical services, and commemorations.

• On 22 November a justice sector symposium, titled ‘Justice in • On 27 August 2022, the flagship Ireland 1822-2022’, will take place national centenary commemorative in the Printworks of Dublin Castle event for An Garda Síochána will in partnership with an academic be held at Dublin Castle. The event institution. Falling on the 200th will recreate the occasion in August anniversary of the establishment 1922 when Commissioner Michael of the County Constabulary and Staines led 380 Civic Guards through the 100th anniversary of the the Palace Street gates into Dublin establishment of An Garda Síochána, Castle following its evacuation by the the symposium will provide British Army. This was the first time academics and practitioners with Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County that many uniformed Civic Guards an opportunity to consider the appeared in public and was hugely Council, Countydevelopment Hall, Dún Laoghaire, of both policing and symbolic. An open day will take place justice institutions more broadly over Co. the Dublin, in Dublin Castle, providing publicIreland that time, including the evolution of with the opportunity to view displays the prison and probation services. and engage with members from a variety of Garda units. A specially commissioned piece of music by the composer Odhrán Ó Casaide will be performed by Garda Band at

• Exhibitions about Garda history and heritage will also take place in the last quarter of the year in association with local authorities across the country.

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GARDA CENTENARY (1922-2022)

MARKING THE HISTORIC TRANSITION TO AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA

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A special event took place at the Gresham Hotel on 24 May to mark the historic meeting chaired by Michael Collins in ‘Room 85’ at the hotel on 9 February 1922, where the Provisional Government formed a committee to set up a new police service to replace the Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) – the police force in Ireland from 1822 until 1922.

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“In its transition from the RIC and to what later became An Garda Síochána, the formation of the Civic Guard that night paved the way for stability in Ireland and the establishment of the nation’s unarmed police service.

By that September and following the passing of the Constabulary (Ireland) Act in Parliament, members of the new police service began arriving in cities, towns and villages to begin working in and with communities,” noted Garda Commissioner Drew Harris, during his opening address.

“Today, there are over 14,000 highly trained Gardaí working nationwide. The breadth of duties has shifted considerably, and our responsibilities now extend into many areas – nationally and internationally.

“We are now an organisation working across specialist and dedicated units in areas of priority like drugs and organised crime, roads policing, and domestic and sexual abuse. We also continue to put in place major ICT infrastructure suitable for the modern day. We are introducing a new operating model to provide more localised services.

“Through the decades, Gardaí have prevented and detected significant amounts of crime. We are having an impact on targeting and disrupting organised crime groups – an area where we have recently seen considerable progress. As a police service we have encountered and responded

and in partnership with people and communities. The development of communitybased policing in Ireland over the past century has played an integral part in how we operate today. An Garda Síochána is also unique in that we have a dual mandate – the national police service and the national security service.

“Over 11,000 people have applied, as part of the recent recruitment campaign, to become members of An Garda Síochána. It is encouraging that so many people are prepared to step up to protect and support communities. About 40% of applicants are women and there has been an increase in numbers applying across a range of ethnic backgrounds.

“We now also have over 3,300 Garda staff providing a range of critical functions to support policing delivery including IT systems, financial management, crime analysis, legal advice, HR and health and wellbeing services. Their input and insights have been invaluable in the development of the organisation into a modern police service.”

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dlr & RNLI Working together to promote water safety along your coast Dún Laoghaire Rathdown is steeped in maritime history, with heritage sea swimming and sailing locations to be found along the coastline. Many people visit the coast and our beaches to enjoy a range of water-based activities by the sea and we want to help ensure they do so safely. dlr’s lifeguards are on duty during the bathing season and as a local Water Safety Ambassador to the RNLI the council are committed to promoting water safety messages on behalf of the charity that saves lives at sea.

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COAST GUARD

BICENTENARY BOOKLET DOCUMENTS COAST GUARD OPERATIONS A bicentenary booklet that traces the Irish Coast Guard’s history from its establishment in January 1822 by a British act of parliament has been compiled by retired marine radio officer Joe Ryan.

Lorna Siggins gives a glimpse from his commemorative document of some special operations and what the Coast Guard has done in Ireland over 200 years.

T

he Irish Coast Guard’s role in combating smuggling, providing famine relief and gruelling night work at sea, which was “enough to kill a horse”, are recorded in ‘Coast Guard saving lives in Ireland for 200 years’ – a booklet marking the organisation’s bicentenary by Joe Ryan, who worked as an Irish Coast Guard officer from 1995 until his retirement in 2014.

He records how its first inspector general, James D’Ombrain, began construction of station houses in Co. Cork. By 1900, there were about 200 stations around the Irish coast, primarily to prevent smuggling but with a secondary lifesaving role.

The many former British navy ratings employed used their gigs and galleys to save lives prior to the establishment of RNLI stations – and often volunteered to crew RNLI lifeboats, he writes. From 1831, when D’Ombrain undertook an annual sail around Ireland, he witnessed the effects of famine on the west coast and was instrumental in organising relief.

MAJOR EVENTS DURING 19th CENTURY This led to clashes with his higher authority which adopted a harsh unforgiving attitude reflected in Seamus Heaney’s work, ‘For the Commander of the Eliza’. Sir Randolph Routh had complained to Sir Charles Trevelyan about D’Ombrain during the 1839 famine and this was the basis of Heaney’s poem, Ryan writes.

Ryan quotes from D’Ombrain’s correspondence with the British government on the issue: “I cannot but feel deeply mortified and grieved at the censure their Lordships have passed on me for an act which I considered at the time to be one of pressing emergency.” After his retirement, D’Ombrain became a Commissioner of the Lighthouse Authority of Ireland – at that time the Corporation for Preserving and Improving the Port of Dublin.

EMERGENCY SERVICES IRELAND

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COAST GUARD

Ryan writes of the loss of the first White Star liner ‘Tayleur’, which was wrecked off Dublin’s Lambay Island on 21 January 1854, with about 200 of the 670 passengers and crew on board surviving. He also outlines the callup of Coast Guard ratings in Ireland to serve with Britain in the Crimean War from 1854, and the transfer of Coast Guard control to the British Admiralty in 1856, where duties ranged from assisting vessels in distress, undertaking navigational duties, recording reports from fishing harbours and identifying wild birds and rare fish washed ashore.

“The Admiralty had an ulterior motive in taking over the Coast Guard. They had a reserve of trained men to call upon in times of war. We can also see how things like their benevolence and lifesaving skills no longer priorities were,” Ryan notes.

COAST AND RESCUE SERVICES The death of Captain John McNeill Boyd and five of his crew from the guard ship ‘Ajax’ during an attempted rescue of two ships seeking shelter in Kingstown (Dun Laoghaire) during storms in February 1861 is also featured in the booklet.

Ryan also covers the Fethard lifeboat disaster of February 1914; the establishment of the Coast Life Saving Service after independence in 1922; the initiation of a separate Coast Watch service during World War II; and the last use of a breeches buoy.

He pays tribute to Joan O’Doherty (nee McGinley) from the West Coast Search and Rescue Action Committee of 1988, which highlighted the need for more helicopter rescue bases, and the role of Captain Liam Kirwan, the first director of the new Irish Marine Emergency Service from 1993.

Kirwan had worked with Captain Peter Brown and Captain David Shiels on the Coast and Cliff Rescue Service from 1987, and Ryan also recalls the contribution of the late Agnes Walsh who worked for the Department of the Marine during implementation of the Government’s Doherty report on search and rescue.

THE IRISH COAST GUARD NETWORK

DEATHS OF CREW AND VOLUNTEERS Incidents such as the loss of all six crew without trace from the Donegal fishing vessel Carrickatine in November 1995; the death of volunteer diver Michael Heffernan during the Belderrig cave rescue in north Mayo in October 1997;

•

The R116 crew who lost their lives off Blackrock Island, North Mayo on 14 March 2017 - (clockwise): Captain Dara Fitzpatrick and Captain Mark Duffy were recovered, but winch operators Ciarán Smith and Paul Ormsby are still missing.

The Irish Coast Guard is Ireland’s fourth blue light service (along with An Garda Síochána, the Ambulance Service and the Fire Service). It provides a nationwide maritime emergency organisation as well as a variety of services to shipping and other government agencies.

Each year, the Irish Coast Guard is expected to: • • •

• • •

•

Handle 3,000 marine emergencies.

Assist 4,500 people and save about 200 lives.

Task Coast Guard helicopters on missions around 2,000 times (40 times to assist mountain rescues and 200 times to carry out aeromedical HEMS missions on behalf of the HSE), Coast Guard volunteer units will respond 1,000 times and RNLI and community lifeboats will be tasked by the Co-ordination Centres about 950 times.

Evacuate medical patients off our Islands to hospital on 100 occasions.

Assist other nations’ Coast Guards about 200 times.

Make around 6,000 maritime safety broadcasts to shipping, fishing and leisure craft users Carry out a ‘safety on the water’ campaign that targets primary schools and leisure craft users, including at sea and beach patrols.

Investigate approximately 50 maritime pollution reports.

With five medium-lift Sikorsky S-92 Search and Rescue helicopters under the Coast Guard’s wing, these are deployed at bases in Shannon (Rescue 115), Dublin (Rescue 116), Waterford (Rescue 117) and Sligo (Rescue 118).

Each station has one Sikorsky S-92, with an additional aircraft on stand-by, which rotates as a back-up between each of the four regional locations.

The main roles are to rescue people from danger at sea or on land, to organise immediate medical transport and to assist boats and ships within the country's jurisdiction.

With close to approximately 200 flying hours per month for all four bases, this includes both training and operational flights. The service is 24/7 365 with a contractually required 98% availability at 15 minutes readiness from 7.30am to 9pm, and 45-minutes readiness from 9pm to 7.30am. (Source: Department of Transport)

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COAST GUARD the deaths of four Air Corps crew when Rescue 111 crashed off Waterford in July 1999 are recalled.

There are also accounts of the extraordinary rescue of a young Spanish crewman wearing no lifejacket from the Skerd Rocks in outer Galway Bay

by Rescue 115 from Shannon in 2000; and the rescue of 21 sailors from the Fastnet Yacht Race competitor Rambler in August 2011.

Ryan also records the devastating impact of the death of the first Irish Coast Guard volunteer on duty – Caitriona Lucas of Doolin Coast Guard in September 2016 – and the loss of the Rescue 116 helicopter crew of Captains Dara Fitzpatrick and Mark Duffy, and winch team Paul Ormsby and Ciarán Smith off Blackrock island, North Mayo on 14 March 2017.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Joe Ryan spent 12 years at sea on all types of ships working initially for Marconi Marine, before going freelance and spending the final six years directly employed by a super tanker company.

He worked as a computer engineer with McDonnell Douglas Information Systems Ltd in Dublin and joined the Irish Marine Emergency Service in 1995 – renamed the Irish Coast Guard in 2000. He retired in 2014, and his booklet is based on research undertaken for a lecture for the Maritime Museum in Dun Laoghaire that same year. Copies of his booklet are available by emailing Joe Ryan at ryan.jjj@gmail. com

*This article was first published in Afloat.ie – Ireland's sailing and maritime online magazine (14 January 2022). Lorna Siggins is a print and radio reporter, and a former ‘Irish Times’ western correspondent. She is the author of ‘Evert Calling’ (1994) on the first Irish Evert expedition; ‘Mayday!

Mayday!’ (2004) on Irish helicopter search and rescues, and ‘Once Upon a Time in the West: the Corrib Gas Controversy’ (2010).

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DEFENCE FORCES

COMMISSION RECOMMENDS MAJOR EXPANSION OF IRELAND’S DEFENCE FORCES The Commission on the Defence Forces has issued several recommendations in its final report to the Government, including proposals to increase the €1.1bn defence budget by 200%, expanding the Naval Service fleet to include 12 ships, and equipping the Air Corps with long-range transport aircraft and a squadron of 12-24 fighter jets to police Irish skies.

T

he Commission on the Defence Forces was established on foot of a commitment in the Programme for Government, and in December 2020 it was tasked to undertake a comprehensive one-year review of the Defence Forces and to report on its recommendations by the end of 2021.

The remit covered capabilities, structures and staffing against a backdrop of the highlevel defence goal, which is to provide for the military defence of the State, contribute to national and international peace and security and fulfil all other roles assigned by the Government. The Commission also sought to develop a longer-term vision beyond 2030.

The Commission’s final 214-page report, which was published on 9 February, includes 69 recommendations, many of which contain sub-recommendations. Under its most ambitious proposals, the current €1.1 billion defence budget would increase by 200 per cent, the Naval Service would be made up of 12 ships and the Air Corps would be equipped with long-range transport aircraft and a squadron of 12-24 fighter jets to police Irish skies.

Minister for Defence and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveney TD, said that the report proposed significant changes for the Defence Forces and Defence provision in Ireland. “This includes the type of defence capabilities that we should retain and the level of resourcing that we are willing to commit to equip and train our Defence Forces for the roles that we require them to undertake.

I hope that this report will foster real debate about the defence that we need as a modern

European country.”

The Minister said that the report’s recommendations encompassed high level command arrangements, Defence Forces structures, defence capabilities and funding, and the Reserve Defence Force.

“The recommendations on Defence Forces human resources are forthright and challenge the status quo, suggesting a programme of cultural change and a wide-ranging transformation agenda to ensure that the Defence Forces becomes an employer of choice.

“A process to allow for detailed consideration of the recommendations will involve significant inter-departmental consultation. Following engagement with key stakeholders, I will return to Government with a proposed response to the Commission’s recommendations and a high-level action plan. I anticipate that this process will take at least four months,” noted Minister Coveney.

OPEN AND HONEST ENGAGEMENT Led by Chairman Aidan O’Driscoll, former Secretary General of the Department of Justice, the Commission focussed its work throughout the past 13 months on “considering the appropriate capabilities, structures and staffing of both the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) and Reserve Defence Force (RDF) with a view to the immediate future, and the uncertain period beyond 2030”.

From the outset of its work, the Commission sought input from interested and informed organisations and individuals, as well as from the Defence Forces and the

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The Commission’s comprehensive one-year review of the Defence Forces was completed in December 2021, with the publication of the report containing 69 recommendations.

Department of Defence. In response to a public consultation exercise, it received some 480 submissions, while it also met directly with over 1,000 Defence Forces’ personnel of all ranks, including civilian employees, in their barracks and bases throughout the country.

The report’s Executive Summary points out that this engagement was open, honest and very informative, with many reporting a strong sense of crisis in the Defence Forces, which is also reflected in some public commentary.

“One immediate cause is the current understaffing in all three services, but there are also deeper factors involved.

While there is a recognition amongst Defence Forces’ personnel that the organisation faces issues and challenges, there is also a serious desire for change at all levels.

“This underlines the need for clear decisions and urgent action, and the Commission believes that this report provides a basis for both, and, it is hoped, will fuel a muchneeded debate on defence and security matters in this country,” the report points out.

In Chapter 11 of the report – ‘Conclusion and Implement’ – the Commission notes that “should the Government decide to accept and implement the vision and recommendations proposed in this report it will result in the Defence Forces of 2030+ being a more modern, diverse organisation, with a coherent structure.

“Depending on the level of ambition chosen by Government, it will also have enhanced capabilities to defend the State and its people, serve on demanding overseas missions and support national resilience through its aid to the civil power (ATCP) and aid to the civil authority (ATCA) activities.”

Best wishes to the Irish Coast Guard on celebrating their 200th Anniversary.

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PRISON SERVICE

IRELAND’S NEW INSPECTOR OF PRISONS SET TO MAKE HIS MARK International human rights lawyer Mark Kelly has become the new Inspector of Prisons and is due to take up his position on 15 August. His appointment comes at a time with plans in the pipeline to expand the role of the office to include independent monitoring of detention across the criminal justice sector in Ireland. Report by Grace Heneghan.

I

n making the announcement recently Minister for Justice Helen McEntee said that the role of the Inspector of Prisons was “an essential element of the oversight and evaluation structures within Ireland’s penal system”.

The Inspector of Prisons is a statutory officer appointed by the Minister for Justice under the Prisons Act 2007 and is independent in carrying out this work. The key role will be to carry out regular inspections of all prisons in Ireland and to present a report on each institution inspected to the Minister for Justice.

In addition, under Part 5 of the Prisons Act 2007, the Inspector of Prisons is required to carry out investigations into any matter relating to the operation and management of a prison as requested by the Minister for Justice.

The Inspector of Prisons may also, of their own volition, decide to investigate any matter they consider to be of concern. Furthermore, since April 2012 all deaths in custody are subject to an independent investigation by the Inspector of Prisons.

“The Department of Justice and the Irish Prison Service strive to develop and evolve in how we manage our prisons, and the Inspector of Prisons plays a vital role in ensuring this work is carried out to the highest human rights standards and international good practice.”

The Minister added that Mark Kelly’s human rights experience both in Ireland and abroad would be of “great benefit to the work of the Office and he joins an excellent team at the Office of Inspector of Prisons, which under his leadership and guidance will only go from strength to strength.”

44 EMERGENCY SERVICES IRELAND

PRISON SERVICE

This will see the landmark Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill being brought forward, in addition to merging the existing functions of the Garda Inspectorate and the oversight function of the Policing Authority into the new Policing and Community Safety Authority.

In addition to the legislative authority derived from the Act, the Inspector has specified functions under Prison Rules 2007-2013 in relation to the Irish Prison Service Prisoner Complaints Procedure (Rule 57B) and letters from prisoners (Rule 44(1)(h)). The Inspector of Prisons may also, of his/her own volition decide to investigate any matter considered to be of concern.

INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATIONS The law underpinning the role of Inspector of Prisons is set out in Part 5, Sections 30 to 32 of the Prisons Act 2007; Section 30 provides for the appointment of the Inspector, Section 31 sets out the functions of the Inspector and Section 32 International human rights lawyer Mark specifies the requirement to submit Kelly takes up his new role as Inspector an Annual Report to the Minister for Justice, by 31 March in any year. of Prisons on 15 August 2022.

Under Section 31 of the Act the Inspector of Prisons is obliged CHIEF INSPECTOR REAPOINTED to carry out regular inspections of He will replace Mark Toland, who had prisons and for this purpose may: stepped in as interim Inspector of • Enter any prison or any part of a Prisons in February 2022, following prison at any time. the sudden resignation of Patricia • Request and obtain from the Gilheaney, and while the recruitment Governor a copy of any books, process was being completed by the Since April 2012, the Inspector of Prisons records, other documents, or extracts has been tasked with independently Public Appointments Service. During from such documents. this time, Toland also continued to investigating the circumstances serve in his position as Chief Inspector • During an inspection or arising surrounding all deaths in custody. out of an inspection, bring any of the Garda Inspectorate.

Mark Toland has been reappointed issues of concern to the notice of the governor of the prison concerned, HUMAN RIGHTS ADVOCATE to that position following the the Director General of the Irish Prison Mark Kelly said he was looking Government’s approval and the Justice Service or the Minister as the Inspector forward to joining the Inspectorate Minister thanked him for his work as considers appropriate. team and to building on the work Chief Inspector since 2017. of his predecessors to establish truly “He has worked effectively, The Inspector may, and must upon independent inspection of places of and his experience and hard work receiving a request from the Minister, detention. will continue to benefit the Garda investigate any matter arising out of “I especially welcome the plans Inspectorate and the wider policing the management or operation of a to expand the role of the office to system over the next crucial period,” prison and shall submit to the Minister include independent monitoring of she noted. a report on any such detention across the criminal justice investigation. sector in Ireland, in line with the Governors, prison requirements of the Optional Protocol officers, other persons to the UN Convention Against Torture employed in prisons and (OPCAT).” prisoners, must as far as The international human rights reasonably practicable, lawyer has gained vast international comply with any request experience as well as practical for information that the experience in the areas of monitoring Inspector may make in prisons, police custody and the performance of his administrative detention. or her functions.

In 2014, he was elected to the Since April 2012, Committee for the Prevention of the Inspector of Prisons Torture of the Council of Europe, of has been tasked by which he was Vice-President from the Minister with 2017-2021 Prior to this in 2013, he was the independent appointed as a Commissioner of the investigation into Irish Human Rights Commission and a the circumstances member of the Board of the Equality surrounding all deaths Authority, pending the creation of in custody and those the Irish Human Rights and Equality Mark Toland, who had stepped in as interim within one month of Commission, to which the President of Inspector of Prisons in February 2022, has been temporary release from Ireland appointed him Commissioner reappointed in his position as Chief Inspector of the custody. on 31 October 2014.

Garda Inspectorate.

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PRISON SERVICE

Portlaoise Prison – Under Section 31 of the Prisons Act 2007 the Inspector of Prisons is obliged to carry out regular inspections of prisons and for this purpose may enter any prison or any part of a prison at any time.

Kelly was also a member of the Committee for the Prevention of Torture of the Council of Europe Secretariat from 1991-2000 and is a former Executive Director of the Irish Council for Civil Liberties. He will commence his position as Inspector of Prisons on 15 August 2022.

IRISH PENAL REFORM TRUST Welcoming the appointment of Mark Kelly as the new Inspector of Prisons, the Irish Penal Reform Trust (IPRT) has called on him to prioritise the frequency of prison inspections when he takes up his new role.

Saoirse Brady, Executive Director of the IPRT, stated: “His previous membership of the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture will undoubtedly bring a unique perspective to the role, given that Mark has visited, monitored, and has intricate knowledge of prison systems and other places of detention throughout Europe."

Commenting on the current gaps in inspection and monitoring of prisons in Ireland, Brady continued: “While Covid-19 thematic inspections of all prisons in Ireland were conducted during 2021 and were published recently, we have not seen the

publication of a general prison inspection report of an operational prison since 2014.

“We know how important these inspections are for shining a light on what goes on behind locked walls, on ensuring compliance with human rights standards, and in driving necessary improvements.

However, in the absence of published reports, we remain in the dark about what is happening to people in prison.”

She said that the IPRT particularly looks forward to working with him during the imminent ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture (OPCAT). “The Office of the Inspector of Prisons will require adequate resources to complete its work, especially in relation to its anticipated future enhanced remit. Almost 15 years have passed since Ireland signed up to the OPCAT. If the State is committed to upholding the rights of all people deprived of their liberty, it must ratify OPCAT without further delay,” noted Brady.

The Irish Penal Reform Trust calls on Mark Kelly to prioritise the frequency of prison inspections when he takes up his new role, according to Executive Director Saoirse Brady.

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GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE

The Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person (Amendment) (Stalking) Bill characterised the offence of stalking as "repeated, unwanted behaviour that occurs as a result of fixation or obsession and causes alarm, distress or harm to the victim and to provide for related matters".

STALKING NOW STANDALONE OFFENCE UNDER NEW LEGISLATION Gender-based violence and harassment of women has come to the fore more than ever this year, and now for the first time in Ireland, legislation will be put in place to protect against gender-based crimes and to categorise stalking as a standalone criminal offence. Report by Deirdre O’Flynn.

S

ixty per cent of people who have been sexually harassed have experienced it in the workplace, most of whom were women, according to the findings of a survey undertaken by the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre (DRCC) in 2021.

Out of the 940 people who participated in the survey, almost one-in-four who had experienced workplace sexual harassment said it took place at work-related events, meetings, or conferences.

The DRCC discussion paper on workplace harassment also mentioned that, under the Employment Equality Acts, employers have a legal responsibility to prevent and address sexual harassment in the workplace.

Another report, the 2021 Matrix Recruitment Workplace Equality Survey, showed that the number of people who reported experiencing sexual harassment at work almost doubled from 10% in 2019 to 18% in 2020, with a drop to 17% during 2021.

According to the report on the survey of over 1,100 workers, “sexual harassment can take many forms and does not have to happen when you are in the physical presence of the offender. Comments at virtual meetings or pictures shared of a sexual nature, unsolicited texts and emails are common examples of sexual harassment”.

ONLINE HARASSMENT For many women in particular, remote working and working from home during the pandemic brought harassment – and the harasser – into their homes. A survey in November and December 2020 by the UK women’s rights charity, Rights of Women, found that harassers took advantage of online work platforms and social media during the pandemic.

As a result, nearly one in two women who experienced sexual harassment at work reported experiencing some or all of it online.

And 15% of women who experienced

sexual harassment at work reported an increase in online harassment whilst working from home during the pandemic.

Una Ring was subjected to months of harassment in 2020, which included threats of rape, and stalking by a former work colleague. “In the 18 months we worked together, there were no red flags, this came out of nowhere,” said Ring, who lives in Youghal, Co Cork.

From abusive text messages to letters left on her car windscreen, vandalism of her car and house, her stalker was finally caught by members of An Garda Síochána outside her house at night – armed with a crowbar, a rope, duct tape, and a sex toy. In February 2021, her stalker was jailed for five years.

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GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE

with stalking is completely different – the end game with stalking is rape or murder or both,” said Ring, who reported her stalker to Gardaí in June 2020 “in case he did something else”.

Within weeks of restrictions being lifted that month, her stalker was back, undertaking a four-hour round trip to vandalise her car outside her home. “His being charged with harassment was an insult to what I went through – stalking needs to be a separate offence.”

Senator Lisa Chambers became aware of the experiences of Ring and McDowell and joined them in their campaign. In February, a bill proposed by Senator Chambers to have stalking categorised as a standalone criminal offence passed its final stage in the Seanad.

This bill has since passed its second stage in the Dáil, with legislation to be put in place later this year to recognise stalking as a separate criminal offence. And it will be prosecuted under a new section of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997.

Senator Lisa Chambers pictured outside the Dáil with the founders of Stalking.ie earlier this year – Eve McDowell and Una Ring – whom she worked with to draft the Bill. (Source: Lisa Chambers on Twitter)

unwanted behaviour that occurs as a result of fixation or obsession and causes alarm, distress or harm to the victim and to provide for related matters".

“

Remote working and working from home for many during the pandemic brought harassment – and the harasser – into their homes.

“Harassment doesn’t cover stalking, which is insidious and relentless and has a long-term impact on people. The legislation has been trying to cover too much under one offence,” she stressed.

Indeed, in 2016, the Law Reform Commission (LRC) recommended that stalking be made a distinct offence from harassment. The LRC looked at Scotland, England and Wales in 2016 where there was an increase in prosecutions and convictions when stalking was made a standalone offence. “There was a three-fold increase in reporting and a two-fold increase in prosecutions,” she said.

Chambers’ Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person (Amendment) (Stalking) Bill had characterised the offence of stalking as "repeated,

”

STATUTORY AGENCY PROPOSALS Earlier this year, Justice Minister Helen McEntee TD had outlined proposals to establish a new statutory agency on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. The proposed agency would be responsible for the delivery of services, ensuring standards, leading awareness campaigns and leading research.

Chambers agreed that there’s a completely different approach this year to tackling gender-based violence and harassment. With the recent passing of the legislation on stalking, she estimated that there will be an increase in refuge places.

“The newly established Committee on Gender Equality, of which I’m a member, will report at the end of the year. Ultimately, people should feel safer and more comfortable in making a complaint. The increase in conversations and openness on these issues will encourage others to come forward and make it more difficult to be a perpetrator.”

Stalking Ireland’s Una Ring and Eve McDowell pictured with Senator Lisa Chambers (left) and Justice Minister Helen McEntee (right) during their meeting in January 2022 to discuss the implementation of stalking legislation in Ireland.

(Source: Stalking.ie on Twitter).

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The Marie Keating Foundation provides information and awareness about many cancers to the general public throughout Ireland. As part of its ongoing development the Foundation wishes to recruit Qualified Mobile Information Unit Drivers The mobile unit is based in Leinster, covering counties: Dublin, Monaghan, Cavan, Wicklow, Wexford, Laois, Offaly, Kildare, Kilkenny & Westmeath The successful applicant will be responsible for driving and maintaining the upkeep of the Mobile Information Unit.

The driver will be expected to assist the Nurse with measurements such as BMI and Smoklyser as instructed by the nurse (Training will be provided for this) The person appointed should have a number of years experience working in a similar position.

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GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE

According to Orla O’Connor, Director of the National Women’s Council of Ireland, “ultimately, it is important today that our conversations focus on prevention, on creating a zero-tolerance culture towards misogyny and sexism that permeates our society and creates the context in which genderbased violence occurs.

“This means, for example, changing our curriculum to include compulsory programmes in primary and secondary level schools, bringing such programmes into our sporting institutions and youth services.

And to transform our third level institutions to adopt a zerotolerance approach.

“It means policy change in our education system to ensure the casual sexism that girls and women experience is unacceptable, and stronger legislation towards street harassment, and stronger enforcement toward harassment in the workplace.”

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WATER SAFETY

WATER SAFETY IRELAND

TAKES NEW CHAIR ON BOARD Clare McGrath, the new Chair of Water Safety Ireland (WSI), has said that her objective during her five-year term of office is to reduce the percentage of drownings by promoting the necessary rescue skills, attitudes and behaviours that will prevent such tragedies and water related accidents in Ireland.

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lare McGrath has been a lifelong advocate for drowning prevention and, in addition to being a volunteer with WSI and serving on the WSI Council, she has been the Water Safety Development Officer with Clare County Council since 2014.

She received a 30-year Long Service Award at the WSI National Awards Ceremony in November 2021 for her voluntary efforts as an Instructor, Examiner and Tutor and her experience predates this award, having won National Lifesaving Competitions aged 16 and lifeguarding at 17.

As a current member of the WSI Council, McGrath has helped to develop a National Drowning Prevention Strategy.

The current Chair of the WSI Sports Commission has played a key role in developing Lifesaving Sport in which participation levels are at an all-time high.

Currently the Chair of the Federation of Irish Sport, and the former Chair of Swim Ireland, McGrath has a particular penchant for teaching WSI’s Lifeguarding and Lifesaving Sport syllabus, in the education of a corps of lifeguards so that waterways and pools have competent cover to protect the public.

MORE PARTICIPATION AND ENGAGEMENT “I very much look forward to working with the WSI Council and engaging its Commissions, our 30 Water Safety Area Committees nationwide and the members, local authorities, and other agencies to develop policies and projects that help encourage more participation and engagement at all levels.”

She added that over the next five years as chair she will look forward to providing leadership to the Council in the continued delivery of Ireland’s Drowning Prevention Strategy 201854 EMERGENCY SERVICES IRELAND

WSI’s new chair Clare McGrath has been the Water Safety Development Officer with Clare County Council since 2014.

2027, and the strategic development of the organisation. “I thank the outgoing chair Martin O’Sullivan for his commitment and the WSI staff for the support they give to drowning prevention.”

Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, who announced the new chair’s appointment, acknowledged Clare McGrath’s wealth of experience as a lifelong member of Water Safety Ireland and Swim Ireland.

“WSI is an organisation with a rich history of volunteerism and is deeply committed to these volunteers who teach swimming, lifesaving and promote drowning prevention initiatives nationwide. WSI has been consistently to the fore in raising awareness of the dangers of drowning in water over many years as well as the education and training of thousands of people in water safety,” noted Minister Humphreys.

SAFER WATER-BASED ACTIVITIES Ireland has an impressive selection of waterways to choose from and has a long tradition of water-based activities. However, despite such an array of beaches, rivers and lakes on our doorstep, last year alone 79 people drowned in 2021 – 70% were male and 30% were female.

“Although this is well below the annual average of 111 drownings every year over the last decade, it is still a tragic unnecessary loss of life and a significant public health issue,” noted Roger Sweeney, Acting CEO at Water Safety Ireland.

“Drownings happen quickly and silently, and warmer weather sometimes lulls people into a false sense of security. However, waterways are still quite cool which affects the muscles needed to swim safely back to shore.”

He added that the pandemic increased the level of interest in aquatic activities. “Consequently, a busy period ensued for the Irish Coast Guard, the RNLI, the Community Rescue Boats and for the lifeguards trained and assessed by Water Safety Ireland and employed by local authorities. This summer, let the lifeguards be there for you.”

The WSI’s Lifeguarding and Lifesaving Sport syllabus trains a corps of lifeguards so that waterways and pools have competent cover to protect the public.

WATER SAFETY

LIFE JACKET THE NAME SAYS IT ALL WATER SAFETY IRELAND’S TOP TIPS This summer, Water Safety Ireland is urging everyone to make water safety a part of the conversation and has issued key drowning prevention guidelines: •

Swim at lifeguarded waterways and between the red and yellow flags. Ask the lifeguard if you’re unsure of the location of the safe swim zone.

• Ensure your children know what the flags mean and only swim when it is safe to do so.

• Swim within your depth and stay within your depth. Never swim alone.

• Never bring inflatable toys to open water locations like beaches, rivers and lakes. The slightest breeze can take children away from shore and out of their depth.

• Parents and guardians need to be particularly careful to ensure that children are always supervised in, near or on water.

• Warm air does not mean warm water. Don’t let children stay in too long and ensure they get fully warm immediately after getting out.

• In rivers and lakes, the water is less buoyant and can be colder than sea water. Know what you’re getting into.

• Never jump in without thinking. At rivers and lakes, be aware of hidden dangers, submerged objects and unexpected depths. Poor visibility can hide what’s underneath the surface and entanglement is a risk.

• Be aware of currents. They are not always obvious and can be much stronger than you imagine.

• In the case of jelly fish stings or weever fish stings, go to the lifeguard for first aid.

• Always wear a lifejacket with a correctly fitting crotch strap when on, near or in water.

• Check how deep or shallow water is especially before entering the water.

• Do not run at the side of a pool.

• Never swim in quarries or reservoirs.

• Stay away from edges particularly where there is slippery, unstable, or uneven ground.

• Keep children away from water barrels and slurry pits.

• If you see somebody in trouble in the water: SHOUT – REACH – THROW. a. SHOUT to calm, encourage and orientate them. b. REACH with anything that avoids you needing to enter the water. Use a branch, pole, rope or even a piece of clothing. c. THROW a ringbuoy or any floating object to them.

WEAR ONE ON OR NEAR WATER. ALWAYS.

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Thank you to all the Front Line Operators.

56 EMERGENCY SERVICES IRELAND

NATIONAL DAY OF REMEMBRANCE

DAY TO REMEMBER THOSE ON FRONTLINE DURING PANDEMIC A National Day of Remembrance to mark the efforts of the volunteers, frontline workers and members of the public during the pandemic, and to especially honour those people who tragically lost their lives due to Covid-19, took place in March.

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ublin’s Garden of Remembrance provided the main setting for the National Day of Remembrance on 20 March to pay tribute to the work of volunteers, frontline workers and members of the public across Ireland during the pandemic and to commemorate all those who died due to Covid-19.

An Taoiseach Micheál Martin noted that in every section of society, people showed more resilience than they knew was possible. “Everyone played their part and did was what asked of them, but our healthcare workers clearly deserve special thanks on this day of recognition. They put themselves in harm’s way to protect the rest of us.

“Without complaint, they cared for our sickest and brought dignity and compassion to the most fraught and difficult situations. When science delivered a vaccine, they were on the frontline and helped deliver one of the most effective national vaccination programmes in the world.

They deserve and enjoy the entire nation’s deep gratitude and respect.”

The Taoiseach said that while the full extent of the damage caused by Covid is not yet known, “many still struggle with the physical effects of the disease, while the wider social and psychological impact of what we have been through will take years to properly understand”.

From Áras an Uachtaráin Ireland’s President Michael D. Higgins said that it was time to reflect on over 6,600 people who died in this country over the past two years due to

Wreaths were laid by family representatives in the cruciform pool during the ceremony at the Garden of Remembrance.

Covid-19 adding: “Our thoughts are with relatives of over six million who have died across the globe because of the virus.

We owe it to the victims of the pandemic, as well as those who risked their own health in providing the essential services, to learn from lessons that the pandemic provoked for us.”

Dublin City Council organised a special event earlier that day in Merrion Square, attended by the Lord Mayor Alison Gilliland, and members of Dublin Fire Brigade and Dublin Civil Defence.

She said that after a challenging two years and countless hardships faced, the event was an opportunity for the people of Dublin to come together and remember those lost and to recognise those who guided us through the pandemic.

When asked about their involvement, Civil Defence Officer James McConnell remarked, “Over the past two years, our team has provided over 54,000 voluntary hours towards the city’s efforts to combat the effects of the pandemic."

President Michael D. Higgins and his wife Sabina rang the Peace Bell five times while a minute’s silence was observed at the Áras to remember over 6,600 lives lost to COVID-19.

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IRISH HEART FOUNDATION

‘VAT ON DEFIBS PUTTING LIVES AT RISK’ – IRISH HEART FOUNDATION The Irish Heart Foundation has called for action to remove VAT on defibrillators as soon as is allowable under EU law, and changes in EU legislation will finally give the Government the power to abolish what the charity has condemned for years as “a tax on saving lives”.

D

espite the medical devices saving scores of lives in Irish communities each year, EU tax rules have left the State with no option but to impose the top rate of VAT on them. This means that organisations such as sports clubs and community groups must fork out almost €300 extra for a defibrillator costing €1,300 and up to €100 more in VAT each time pads and batteries are replaced.

The Irish Heart Foundation has written to Minister for Finance, Paschal Donohoe, urging him to ensure a VAT exemption for defibrillators can be introduced as soon as possible after EU Finance Ministers agreed amendments to a directive which gives member States more flexibility in setting certain VAT rates.

“The latest statistics for 2020 show that out of 2,638 outof-hospital cardiac arrests recorded in Ireland, just 164 patients survived,” said Irish Heart Foundation Director of Advocacy, Chris

Sports clubs and community groups must fork out almost €300 extra for a defibrillator costing €1,300 and up to €100 more in VAT each time pads and batteries are replaced.

Macey. “The earlier an AED is applied, the better a person’s chances of surviving a cardiac arrest. For every minute without CPR or defibrillation, your chances of survival decrease by 10%.

“TAX ON SAVING LIVES” “So, the more public access there is to defibrillators, the more lives can be Irish Heart Foundation saved. And the Director of Advocacy, Chris higher the cost Macey, insists that everyday of these devices, VAT on defibrillators remains along with pads and in place, “lives are being put batteries that must at unnecessary additional be regularly replaced, risk”. the less likely sports and community organisations will be able to afford their purchase and upkeep. In these circumstances, it’s no exaggeration to say that VAT on defibrillators is a tax on saving lives.”

Macey said that whilst the directive must now go back to the European Parliament before it is formally adopted by EU Finance Ministers, the Department of Finance should undertake all work necessary to ensure an exemption is introduced at the earliest date possible.

“We know that Minister Donohoe has specifically recommended that defibrillators and other emergency medical and rescue equipment be included in these VAT reforms. So, we are hopeful he will ensure this measure is prioritised in his department,” he noted.

“Since this tax remains in place every day, lives are being put at unnecessary additional risk, particularly the lives of people living with undiagnosed heart conditions and people with conditions such as heart failure who do not have implantable devices.”

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Helping to make Kildare Roads Safer

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‘Best Wishes toto themake Kildare Helping Kildare Garda Division Roads Safer nk you for your continued ort in raising Road Safety s across County Kildare’.

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COMMUNITY SAFETY AWARD

'AMBER THURSDAY' SAFETY CAMPAIGN SCOOPS SILVER AWARD An initiative to promote fire, road and water safety awareness nationwide, which was rolled out by the frontline agencies last year in a bid to help reduce fatalities and injuries during busy bank holiday weekends, took home the silver from the Community and Council Awards, organised by the Local Authority Members’ Association (LAMA), in Dublin recently.

Kildare’s Senior Assistant Chief Fire Officer Niall O'Riordan; Kildare County Council’s Cathaoirleach Naoise Ó Cearúil; Water Safety Ireland’s Acting CEO Roger Sweeney, and Kildare’s Road Safety Officer Declan Keogh, following the presentation of the Silver Award.

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he ‘Amber Thursday’ awareness campaign – a national fire, road and water safety initiative launched during the August bank holiday in 2021 – was presented the Silver Award in the Best CSR Community Programme category at the LAMA Community and Council Awards in April in Dublin.

The campaign was launched by Kildare County Council to promote fire, road and water safety awareness nationally during the August bank holiday weekend in 2021. This is recognised as one of the busiest weekends of the year with thousands of people flocking to beaches, rivers and pools, many more hitting the road, while some fire up the barbeque in the back garden or on camping trips.

Many people have died or have sustained injuries down through the years from fire, road and water-based

related activities and incidents during those busy weekends. The ‘Amber Thursday’ initiative brought all the relevant agencies and services together to promote these elements of safety and awareness, including the Local Authority Road Safety Officers (LARSO), the Chief Fire Officers’ Association, Water Safety Ireland, Local Water Safety Development Officers and the Road Safety Authority.

The event was organised by Kildare County Council’s Road Safety Officer Declan Keogh, who is also LARSO Secretary. “Somebody must start the ball rolling, but like anything else, it takes a lot more people and bodies to keep the ball rolling and get it over the line. The joint effort by all agencies involved made it work,” Keogh told ‘Emergency Services Ireland’.

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COMMUNITY SAFETY AWARD

“The joint effort by all agencies involved made this campaign work” – Declan Keogh, Kildare’s Road Safety Officer, and Secretary of the Local Authority Road Safety Officers.

INTER-AGENCY COLLABORATION “The joint efforts and engagement of all services and personnel involved made ‘Amber Thursday’ shine brighter than expected and it also gave it a louder voice in the public domain. It’s a true testament that when agencies with the same goal work together, these type of initiatives and campaigns can reach a wider audience and with a lot less cost,” he added.

Speaking after the LAMA Awards ceremony in April, Water Safety Ireland’s Acting Chief Executive Officer Roger Sweeney described the award as “a token of the recognition and appreciation of the work and efforts undertaken by everyone involved in the project”.

He added that Water Safety Ireland was delighted to be involved in ‘Amber Thursday’ last year. “We look forward to getting involved again this year to promote water safety, fire safety and road safety collectively,” he noted.

Cork County Council’s Road Safety and Water Safety

The ‘Amber Thursday’ initiative was promoted by Cork County Council’s Road Safety and Water Safety Development Officer in collaboration with Cork City Fire Brigade’s Fire Officer.

Water Safety Ireland (formerly Irish Water Safety) will continue to work with the Local Authority Road Safety Officers, the Chief Fire Officers’ Association, Local Water Safety Development Officers and the Road Safety Authority to promote water safety, fire safety and road safety collectively.

Development Officer, Caroline Casey collaborated with Ger Ryan, Fire Officer at Cork City Fire Brigade, to steer the ‘Amber Thursday’ promotion in the city.

According to Casey, people tend to forget the important and very basic safety guidelines in the hype of enjoying a busy weekend. “It’s essential that people are aware of crucial safety measures and advice on every occasion but particularly on the bank holiday weekends, and ‘Amber Thursday’ is an ideal shared platform for that.

“Ger and I were delighted with the engagement, co-operation and support received by the personnel and agencies in the city and county who helped promote this initiative throughout Cork.”

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MOUNTAIN RESCUE IRELAND

PEAK PERFORMANCES DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Like all other emergency services, mountain rescue teams had to adapt to the ‘new normal’ during the height of the pandemic, according to Kenny Roberts, Secretary of Mountain Rescue Ireland. He says that training continued apace in the new world of PPE, teams responded to those people who needed urgent assistance, while Covid continued to have rescuers on high alert.

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ell, where does one start for 2021. The year was dominated

by Covid, and with Ireland moving from lockdown to lockdown……we learned to work from home. Some will say that this had many advantages, better quality time with our families, but dealing with Covid was still stressful. We were all touched in some way by the pandemic, and we lost loved ones.

The protection of our rescue team members was paramount because after all we are volunteers, while call-out officers were armed with a new list of the ‘Covid questions’.

However, last year also saw more people taking to the hills to enjoy life, with hillwalking now fully established to destress from the Covid blues and a new way to keep healthy.

Yet, the negative side of this is that more people may venture out into our beautiful wild and remote hills and mountains that little less prepared than perhaps they should be. We urge hill-goers not to over rely on technology and suggest that they participate in some formal training or, at the very least, participate in organised hillwalking club events.

MOUNTAIN RESCUE IRELAND

Fundraising is yet again the biggest challenge facing mountain rescue teams. We acknowledge the Government’s support in providing grant aid schemes to help offset the negative affect of Covid on the ability of mountain rescue teams fundraising activities.

PEER SUPPORT PROGRAMMES Mountain rescue training moved online, with the most common line ‘You’re on mute’. The Irish Coast Guard/ CHC Rescue Helicopter 117 MR liaison officer provided a Heli Safety Ground School brief for the teams, and with 100 participants allowed, this training was well over subscribed.

Mountain Rescue Ireland (MRI), in conjunction with Carlow IT, provided an opportunity for online learning for Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM). A vital course for our volunteer members, the CISM course allows our teams to provide peer support for our own members if they need help.

Towards the latter part of 2021, as restrictions started to lift, we were able to provide several MRI sponsored courses such as Rope Rescue Rigging Fundamentals, Advanced Rope Rescue Technician and the Mountain Rescue Hill Party Leaders Course.

MRI continued a close working relationship with the principal response agencies such as An Garda Síochána, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), the HSE National Ambulance Service and Irish Coast Guard, to look at synergies between each one.

Insurance also raised its head for our teams during 2021. Following several changes in the legislation, we had undertaken a massive amount of work with our broker to ensure that MRI had the right insurance in place for our teams. This went to the wire and at one point, it looked like we may not have a provider.

If this was the case, we would not have had mountain rescue teams to deploy to those who found themselves in need of our services. Therefore, on behalf of Mountain Rescue Ireland, I wish to acknowledge the tremendous work carried out by our insurance broker, Chris Logan from Will Towers Watson.

So, the future looks a bit brighter and there is light at the end of the tunnel. As we adapt and get used to the new normal, life must go on.

Hopefully this year we will be able to hold our AGM in person, back to knowledge sharing and networking. A massive thank-you for all those who support our teams.

Be safe and enjoy our wild and remote places.

Kenny Roberts, Secretary of Mountain Rescue Ireland.

INTEGRATED COMMUNICATIONS One such development involved the Garda Air Support Unit (GASU). Working closely with GASU’s Sergeant Mark Campbell, we delivered the SARCALL CAD platform into their air support operations base.

Joining forces with Sgt Mark Campbell and Inspector Mick McDonnell from Garda Telecoms Division, we delivered integrated communications through the Tetra radio network. This, therefore, allowed for direct communications from the mountain rescue team on the ground to the GASU operations base and the Garda Air asset.

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Thank you for making seafaring safe Congratulations to the Irish Coastguards Services on their 200th anniversary.

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LITTLE BLUE HEROES

THE 'LITTLE BLUE HEROES' OF AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA The Little Blue Heroes Foundation has been providing practical and financial support to the families of children who have serious illnesses in Ireland since 2017, and also grants the wishes of the children it supports to become Honorary Gardaí to empower the child and foster positive engagement with An Garda Síochána, writes Karl Heller.

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stablished in 2017, the not-for-profit registered charity is operated entirely by volunteers, which includes Garda members, retired Garda members, their families, friends and civic-minded people from local communities.

While the charity has its own entity governed by the Charity Regulator, it is supported by An Garda Síochána and the Garda Commissioner. The name ‘Little Blue Heroes’ came about when it was found that the vast number of children it supports have a strong fascination with police uniform, equipment, vehicles, Garda units, etc.

This has even led some of the children to make a wish to become an Honorary Garda and be a part of the Garda family. As heroes to us with the battles they face, these children have become our ‘Little Blue Heroes’!

The charity provides the following services: * Financial Support – Providing essential financial support to families of serious and terminally ill children. * Honorary Gardaí – Granting the wishes of those children its supports by making them Honorary Gardaí which includes a ceremony, full uniform, badges, tours of a station etc. * Police Themed Events & Toys – Garda-themed events and police toys such as ride on mini-Garda vehicles, police Lego, police toy sets, etc... * Project Haven for Heroes – The charity brings families on holidays in Ireland who would not normally get a chance to go away, due to the severity of the child’s illness or due to financial limitations from the family. * Hospital Visits – Members of An Garda Síochána visit children in hospital and provides support, a friendly chat and happiness for the children and their families.

Our Vision: The Little Blue Heroes Foundation’s vision is to support families of children with serious illnesses in Ireland while empowering the lives of children through positive community engagement.

Mission Statement: The Foundation’s mission is to provide practical and financial support to families of children who have serious illnesses in Ireland, while granting the wish of the children it supports to become Honorary Gardaí to empower the child and foster positive engagement with An Garda Síochána.

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* Sarah’s Christmas Gift – Sarah Robinson, an exceptional young lady from Gorey, Wexford passed away peacefully in 2019, following a battle with childhood cancer.

Despite her illness Sarah Robinson was always thinking of others, particularly those younger than her. Before Sarah’s passing her kindness and generosity showed no bounds as she nominated any donations that may come from her own funeral to be given in aid of ‘Little Blue Heroes’ to help families who have children with serious illnesses.

This is one of the most inspiring acts of kindness the charity has witnessed, which is why it matches Sarah’s gift of €500 to all the ‘Little Blue Heroes’ families at Christmas in her memory. Sarah’s Christmas Gift includes shopping vouchers for food, vouchers for toys and fuel vouchers ‘Yule Fuel’ for their cars to fuel the journeys to hospital appointments over the festive season.

Little Blue Heroes Foundation Goals: • To identify, communicate and financially assist families of children who have serious illnesses in Ireland.

• To provide practical support and enhance community links to families of children who have serious illnesses in Ireland.

• To empower the children and create memories for families we support by fostering positive community engagement with An Garda Síochána.

Families Helped: Little Blue Heroes Foundation has Honorary Gardaí and their families it supports in every Garda Region throughout the country. The Foundation has inducted over 300 Honorary Gardaí since the charity’s inception. It has made available and provided financial support to each of the families to ease the financial burden they often endure from many of the hidden costs when caring for their seriously ill child or children.

Fundraising: The charity receives no state funding and relies entirely on fundraisers and events organised by members of An Garda Síochána and supporters in the community to support the many families who need it. The charity has been very fortunate to have fantastic support of Garda members, retired members and people in the community who have fundraised for the cause.

How to Help Our Heroes: If you wish to support the work of the Little Blue Heroes Foundation or would like to organise a fundraiser, email info@littleblueheroes.org. To help the Foundation continue supporting families with children suffering from serious illness all donations can be made online at: • Website: www.ifundraise.ie/littleblueheroes • Paypal: info@littleblueheroes.org • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fund/ littleblueheroes/

For further information visit www.littleblueheroes.org (Registered Charity Number 20158712, CHY Number 22275).

About the Author: Karl Heller, Retired Chief Superintendent at the Garda Bureau of Community Engagement, is the Chairperson of the Little Blue Heroes Foundation. His experience in child welfare and protection are reinforced by his academic study. His experience and knowledge played a significant role in being nominated and serving as a member of the original working group who developed the Children First child protection guidelines for Ireland.

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JADOTVILLE & NIEMBA SIEGES

JADOTVILLE AND NIEMBA

NOW TIME TO MAKE IT RIGHT Between 1960 and 1964 up to 6,000 Irish soldiers served with the UN in the Democratic Republic of Congo. More than 30 recommendations, mostly associated with Jadotville and Niemba, were disregarded for reasons that continue to remain an enigma. However, no explanation for this neglect has ever been offered to date, writes Nicholas Cunningham.

Soldiers digging in at the camp in Jadotville.

D

During those years, a sizeable number of our troops discharged their duties way beyond what was expected of them and that bravery was acknowledged by their commanding officers.

Many of those recommendations were accepted by army chiefs and medals awarded.

The event at Jadotville was very different to the incident at Niemba, primarily because our troops at Jadotville were expecting to be attacked. They didn’t know what the attack may look like or when it might take place and they certainly didn’t expect that it would be as ferocious and determined as it turned out to be.

So, with their limited and aged resources they prepared and they waited. At Niemba, the attack was unexpected, our troops were “ambushed” FIVE-DAY SIEGE AT JADOTVILLE In September 1961, 150 Irish soldiers of ‘A’ Company 35th Battalion under the command of Commandant Pat Quinlan was ordered to Jadotville. From the outset, his troops became quickly aware that their presence there wasn’t welcome.

At that point, they could have safely withdrawn, but their orders were to take possession of an abandoned school as their base and to remain until directed to withdraw. On 3 September, they did as ordered and took possession of their difficult-to-defend base, where their only protection from attack was their leadership, bravery

and a couple of scattered school buildings and vitally, the fox holes they dug, as ordered by their commanding officer!

The first few days were very precarious indeed. While on patrol, troops were continuously harassed and threatened by mercenary and the Katangan army. This action was concerning and caused our soldiers to be extremely cautious and alert. On 9 September their compound was surrounded and their positions sporadically fired on as the Katangan military build up continued in preparation for an all-out attack! Regrettably, early on Sunday 13 September the assault began.

The Irish had prepared to defend their position and they fought back! It was a ferocious and terrifying engagement against more than 3,000 much better equipped, experienced, aggressive and determined mercenary and Katangan soldiers. They were opposed by 150 inexperienced Irish UN troops who gave their attackers the fight of their lives and maybe also the ‘fright’ of their lives.

‘A’ Company bravely stood their ground and even though their weaponry was less powerful and older than their aggressors, they successfully repulsed every advance on their position, inflicting serious harm on them including fatalities! Sadly, 300 of their attackers died and many more were injured during the five-day siege.

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JADOTVILLE & NIEMBA SIEGES

soldiers, but his troops needed to defend themselves and to survive and they did just that. A small number of our troops were injured too, none were serious and no fatalities TG, testament certainly to their bravely, leadership, discipline and patriotism.

Before departing their HQ for Jadotville, Fr. Thomas Fagan, Chaplain to the 35th Battalion, consecrated ‘A’ Company to ‘The Immaculate Heart of Mary’. He then travelled with them to Jadotville where he served with distinction, becoming one of the 33 members cited

by Commandant Quinlan for his bravery. None of those recommendations were acceded to. No other country would have dishonoured their soldiers the way we did.

The Irish troops defended their position and themselves and indeed the UN and Ireland honourably and bravely. They obeyed orders to the letter as was their duty and responsibility and only stopped fighting when they had nothing left to fight with. They had run out of food, water and finally ammunition. The only choice left was to negotiate a safe armistice with the local political leaders and their attackers and to stand down.

During their distressing ordeal, they were gifted a glimmer of hope when told that a company of wellarmed UN relief troops was on the way. Regrettably, as the column approached the Lufira Bridge a short distance from Jadotville, they were attacked by a large force of wellarmed and positioned Congolese army supported by a Fouga Jetfighter plane, which steadily strafed the UN relief troops inflicting many casualties on them including fatalities.

Fighting back, the UN relief troops engaged their attackers to a stand-still, inflicting many casualties on them also and destroying much of the Congolese army equipment.

Unfortunately, they were unable to break through and under heavy fire, were forced to withdraw leaving those at Jadotville to continue without support!

On 17 September, the mission at Jadotville ended when Commandant

Katangan military patrolling around the Irish Camp.

Quinlan and his company of brave and exhausted Irish soldiers marched proudly out of their compound into captivity and on 25 October 1961, they were finally released into UN hands.

THE AMBUSH AT NIEMBA Lt Kevin Gleeson and his unit, while on patrol from their base at Niemba, came to a halt at a damaged bridge where he and his senior NCO stepped out of their vehicles to inspect the damage. Due to the risk of being attacked was so unexpected, other soldiers curiously stepped out of their vehicles too leaving some of their weapons in their transport, including two light machine guns.

Regrettably, within a short time, the eleven-man patrol was attacked from both sides by a large party of armed, loud and angry tribesmen, quickly preventing the soldiers from retrieving weapons from their vehicles.

A deadly battle ensued and sadly, nine Irish soldiers died.

Only seven of the 11-man patrol were armed during battle. One member of the patrol, Trooper Anthony Browne (whose body wasn’t found for two years following the ambush) was posthumously awarded The Military Medal for Gallantry with Distinction. A very deserving award indeed.

The question I would ask though,

is why were no bravery awards offered to the two survivors and the families of those who died? After all, each member of the platoon was a victim of the same terrifying and unexpected attack and their instincts and determination to survive were equal as they fought and struggled to defend themselves and to endure.

When ambushed, the sensation of surprise and shock and principally unpreparedness, reduces considerably the ability of soldiers to respond effectively, even to the extent that some might be unable to return fire. Mostly the victims have no prior warning that they are about to be attacked. Sometimes suspicious activity might be noticed, but suspicion alone is not confirmation that an ambush is imminent and is certainly not justification for the use of lethal force.

In their struggle to survive, troops killed ten of their ambushers and wounded many more. That outcome clearly demonstrated that our gravely outnumbered soldiers fought back.

Our State concluded though that, with the exception of trooper Anthony Browne, no other soldier deserved to be honoured for their so obvious stoic bravery.

“A gallant fight against overwhelming numbers” was how it was described in at least one military

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JADOTVILLE & NIEMBA SIEGES

magazine. A couple of days following the ambush, a group of the Baluba attackers were arrested and they too commented on the valiant fight by the Irish soldiers FIRST UNNERVING CONGO EXPERIENCE It is widely known, that even in the best trained armies in the world when under attack, only 20% can be depended on to immediately perform as trained. Our soldiers clearly performed above and beyond those statistics – it is never too late to correct an injustice which when delayed, is denied.

No Irish soldier posted to the Congo at that time had combat experience. For those at Niemba and Jadotville, it was their first, an unnerving escalation of their so-far apathetic Congo experience. They were poorly armed ordinary Irish soldiers doing their best for the UN and Ireland.

Sadly, they remain unacknowledged by our State for their bravery. It is not too late to correct that decision. In time, their names might not be on the tip of our tongues, but those pernicious episodes in our young soldiers’ lives, including the neglect by our State, will not be forgotten. Niemba and Jadotville are part of Ireland’s and its army’s history and will continue to be remembered and celebrated.

Within only ten days of formation, our trusting soldiers were dispatched

Scene of the Niemba ambush. to the Democratic Republic of Congo, probably the most dangerously volatile region of our world at that time. Except for their new FN rifles, which were not on issue to our troops at Niemba, their equipment for the most part could be likened to the WWII era.

TIME TO CORRECT INJUSTICE The award of military campaign medals is an official acknowledgement that the recipients took part in a particular military action. The award is not

an admission that the recipient performed in any special way, it simply indicates that he/she was present during the incident and that was the only intention of the Niemba and Jadotville medals awarded to date.

The Military Star Medal is awarded similarly, but to the next of kin of those killed in combat. Far short of individual bravery medals as recommended by Commandant Quinlan and others. Courage, respect, integrity and loyalty are four Defence Forces values which are important to all members and are strictly adhered to.

On 23 May 2021, I emailed the Minister asking him to correct this lingering injustice. On 15 June that year, his office replied, informing me that the Minister and the Chief of Staff have agreed to establish an independent group of experts to examine the events specific to Jadotville. Until the group completes its examination and announces its findings, I reserve judgement.

Photographs are courtesy of Commandant (Retd) Oliver Barbour’s private collection and the Army Archives at Cathal Brugha Barracks.

Funeral of the soldiers who died at Niemba.

About the Author: Retired Garda Nick Cunningham is an active member of the Meath Branch of An Garda Síochána Retired Members’ Association (GSRMA). His article was first published in the Spring 2022 issue of ‘Síocháin’ (the GSRMA’s official magazine).

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CROSS BORDER EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

OPERATIONAL PLAN IN PLACE FOR CROSS BORDER EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT The Cross Border Emergency Management Group has developed a comprehensive operational plan for 2022-2025 to enhance co-operation and resilience in emergency management and civil protection, consistent with the principles underpinned in the framework documents of the Northern Ireland Civil Contingencies Framework, ‘Building Resilience Together’ and the Republic of Ireland’s Major Emergency Management Framework.

T

he Cross Border Emergency Management Group (CBEMG) was established in 2014 to increase co-operation between all the statutory agencies involved in emergency management within the border counties of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

The CBEMG carries out its mandate within the existing emergency management structures in each jurisdiction and reports to their respective sub-regional groups.

During the launch of the group’s latest three-year operational plan, the joint chairs – Joan McCaffrey, Regional Officer, Local Resilience, Northern Ireland, and Finian Joyce, Chief Fire Officer, Leitrim County Council – outlined the group’s journey to date, highlighting the successes and the challenges encountered along the way.

The priorities outlined in the three-year operational plan.

Exercise participants with representation from various cross border organisations pictured at the launch of the Cross Border Emergency Management Operational Plan (20222025) in March.

They also focused on the continuity and commitment by the membership to sustain and grow the capacity and capability of the group. The plan was launched by Alison McCullagh, Chief Executive of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council and Paul Rock, Assistant Fire Advisor at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, at the Killyhevlin Hotel, Enniskillen in March to over 30 multi-agency partner organisations from both sides of the border.

Following the launch Dr Andrew McClelland from University of Manchester delivered a short presentation on the importance of cross border co-operation in emergency management. He focused on the essential need for cross border working as Covid-19 had once again demonstrated graphically that hazards do not respect borders or boundaries and that risks may be amplified within the border contexts.

The CBEMG endorsed a Multi-Agency Protocol for Cross Border Notification of an anticipated or confirmed major emergency in the border area between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

This protocol was approved in September 2021 and the group agreed, as per good practice, that a validation exercise was required to ensure that the activation, notification, and communication processes detailed within the protocol were fit for purpose and that all the relevant partners were familiar with the protocol.

SIX MAIN EXERCISE OBJECTIVES The validation exercise, entitled ‘Exercise Enya’ was rolled out as a six-hour tabletop exercise and simulated a tactical level response to a cross border wildfire.

EMERGENCY SERVICES IRELAND

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A Centra store in Loughville, Ennis has taken home Gold at the recent ShelfLife C-Store Award ceremony in Dublin. Donnellan’s Centra, Loughville, Ennis clinched the title of Best Store in the National Award within the 2,500-4,000 sq ft category.

The ShelfLife C-Store Awards, now in its 15th year, were set up by leading retail industry magazine to acknowledge stores and individuals that set the standards for the industry.

In winning these titles, Donnellan’s Centra fought off stiff competition from convenience stores throughout Ireland. The award was adjudicated by independent judges on numerous conditions, including product offering, store hygiene and customer service.

The Loughville store is a family run business with Gerry and Joan Donnellan owning and managing the

Centra store with their daughters Edwina and Noelle.

The store employs 28 people from the local community and has been trading in Loughville for 27 years. In 2012, the store grew in size to 3000 sq ft and last year they undertook an extensive revamp to the forecourt which included the addition of an off-license.

Gerry Donnellan paid tribute to the team, stating: “We work hard as a team to provide our customers with a great range of products at good value prices in addition to a friendly atmosphere and top class customer service. It is the professional and dedicated approach that singled out our store and having such good people on our team is the key to our success.”

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Paul Rock, Assistant Fire Advisor, Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and Alison McCullagh, Chief Executive of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, launched the Cross Border Emergency Management Operational Plan (2022-2025).

Participants were asked to form a multi-agency Tactical Co-ordination Group (TCG) and a Local Co-Ordination Group (LCG) in response to a series of inputs and updates which were provided by video, slide and handouts. The exercise focussed on communications, and covered recovery activity and media handling.

The aim of this exercise was to simulate the activation of the Multi-Agency Protocol for Cross Border Notification and the subsequent communications processes for an incident that occurs in a geographical area that straddles the border.

The six objectives within the exercise included the following: 1. To simulate the activation of the Multi Agency Protocol for Cross Border Notification 2. To issue communications via a METHANE message from Northern Ireland to the Republic of Ireland, using the processes as detailed within the protocol.

3. To exercise the current multi-agency response to a wildfire event.

4. To review the communications processes required on a cross border basis during a Major Incident/Major Emergency.

5. To consider management of public communication and how it works on a cross border basis.

6. To identify issues that may need to be considered during the recovery phase.

logging of actions was strongly encouraged to enable tracking of activity over the course of the multi-agency response.

The exercise was very well attended, with participants and observers represented from a wide range of organisations from both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. The LCG and TCG were situated within the same room at opposite sides, with the observers based centrally.

Facilitation of the exercise was managed by two members of the CBEMG group from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Both facilitators Eamon O’Loughlin and Scott Dunlop had a comprehensive knowledge of the development and need for Multi-Agency Protocol for Cross Border Notification and of multi-agency working.

They also had detailed knowledge of the structures and civil contingencies arrangements within their respective jurisdictions. They facilitated excellent discussion, introduced the injects and ensured the day ran to the agreed timetable.

Evaluation of the exercise concluded that it was an important networking event and succeeded in its aims and objectives.

The recommendations emanating from the exercise will be presented to the Cross Border Emergency Management Group and once endorsed, will be incorporated into the reviewed Multi-Agency Protocol for Cross Border Notification.

The Cross Border Emergency Management Group (CBEMG) was established in 2014 to increase cooperation between all the statutory agencies involved in emergency management within the border counties of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

Participants were encouraged to refer to the current documentation around response processes and concept of operations documents to support their discussions. A comprehensive briefing pack was issued to all participants and observers prior to the exercise.

The TCG/ LCG meetings held during the exercise were designed to be as realistic as possible. Participants had to nominate an appropriate chair for each meeting and

EMERGENCY SERVICES IRELAND

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EMERGENCY SERVICES SHOW

TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION

AT THE FRONTLINE OF EMERGENCY RESPONSE This year’s Emergency Services Show, which returns to Birmingham’s NEC on 21 and 22 September, will showcase how technology and innovation are transforming emergency response for all blue light services and first responders.

P

olice, fire and rescue, ambulance and rescue professionals will once again join forces at the UK’s largest event to collaborate, share experiences and learn from each other.

“When unprecedented and unforeseen events ranging from Covid to the Ukraine crisis are starting to feel like a new normal, the pace of innovation throughout our emergency services is an inspiration to all who come in contact with them,” says David Brown, ESS Event Director. “The Emergency Services Show offers a unique forum to support the entire emergency services community to be better prepared for future incidents, by seeing and touching the latest products and equipment and exploring new technologies.”

This year’s Emergency Services Show will showcase technology and products from 450 exhibitors in public safety, medical and firefighting equipment, vehicles and fleet, drones, satellite and blended communications.

It will also feature the latest in search and rescue, extrication, water rescue, CBRNE, first response, protective clothing and uniforms, training, community safety and station facilities. Emergency service procurement teams will gain priority access with accelerated discovery and networking opportunities.

Manchester Arena bombing in 2017.

Meanwhile, the Health & Wellbeing Theatre will address physical and mental health for emergency responders, while the Emerging Technologies Theatre will showcase how the emergency services can manage and leverage data and technology more effectively.

The College of Paramedics will offer its 30-minute CPD workshops. The Extrication and Trauma Challenges will be hosted by the West Midlands Fire Service, to showcase the latest technology and equipment.

In the Collaboration Zone, some 40 emergency services, voluntary groups, charities and NGOs will share details of their support services, while other partner agencies will be available to discuss co-response working and partnerships.

For further information visit www.emergencyuk.com

‘FUTURE POLICING’ SHOWCASE Following its successful launch in 2021, the ‘Future Policing’ area returns this year, 30% larger than before. Supported by an Advisory Council chaired

by Lord Hogan-Howe, the former Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service, ‘Future Policing’ will highlight the latest technologies, equipment and training for the police sector and hosts a two-day, CPDaccredited conference packed with high-level speakers.

Among key issues to be explored will be effective and compliant data management, leveraging technology for better crime prevention, learning and development to support recruitment and improving international collaboration.

There will be a host of learning opportunities on offer throughout The Emergency Services Show, with a programme of CPD-accredited seminars across four further theatres covering Lessons Learnt, Health & Wellbeing, Emerging Technologies and Vehicle Innovation.

RESPONSE TO REAL-LIFE INCIDENTS The ‘Lessons Learnt Theatre’ will include responses to UK and international incidents and emergencies, ranging from the Covid-response to Grenfell and the

Following its successful launch in 2021, the ‘Future Policing’ area returns this year. Chaired by Lord Hogan-Howe, former MET Police Commissioner, ‘Future Policing’ will highlight the latest technologies, equipment and training programmes on offer for the police forces.

EMERGENCY SERVICES IRELAND

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UK NEWS

UK NEWS

NEW TRAINING CENTRE FOR NORTHERN IRELAND FIRE & RESCUE SERVICE

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he first sod of the £42.5m final phase of the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) Learning and Development Centre near Cookstown was cut recently by Health Minister Robin Swann.

Work on the final phase of the Northern Ireland Executive flagship project is expected to be completed in 2024. It represents the largest Health Minister Robin Swann is pictured alongside Cllr Robert capital build in NIFRS history. The facilities will revolutionise Irvine, Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service Board, Assistant how NIFRS trains and develops its people to protect Chief Fire & Rescue Officer Aidan Jennings and Liam Murphy, everyone in Northern Ireland.

Site Manager of Newry contractors Felix O’Hare and Co Ltd. The ambitious plans for Phase 2 include the building of a specialist driving and road traffic collision training area, a training realistic training experiences to ensure they are as best environment for collapsed buildings and below ground rescue, a prepared to deal with real life incidents that they attend. flood water rescue training facility, an academic building, mock fire The completion of the final phase of the project is station, and a “call out village” which will include a bungalow, semiexpected in two years and will complement the existing detached dwelling and a detached dwelling.

Tactical Firefighting Facility on the site which has been in This site will provide NIFRS firefighters with scenario-based operation since September 2019.

MANCHESTER CHARITY DONATES PPE TO FRONTLINE WORKERS IN UKRAINE

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anchester-based charity The Skipasund Foundation has donated more than £1m of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to support international aid efforts in Ukraine following its invasion by Russia.

More than 220,000 protective suits, provided free of charge by the UK’s leading PPE manufacturer Globus Group, were delivered to humanitarian campaign hubs on Ukraine’s borders with Poland, Hungary, Slovakia and Romania due to the donation by the foundation, which has been established

by Globus Group founder and CEO Haraldur Agustsson.

Between 10 May and 1 June, a convoy of six trucks carrying 293 pallets of protective suits left Globus Group’s HQ in Trafford, taking the PPE on the 1,800-mile road trip to the Ukrainian border. The last truck to make the three-day journey to deliver the vital PPE to the border hubs arrived on 6 June.

The donated equipment will then be delivered into the warzone when needed for use by frontline workers including aid workers, medical teams, reconstruction crews and others working on the ground. The first consignment has already been delivered into Ukraine.

Haraldur Agustsson, founder of the Skipasund Foundation and Globus Group CEO said: “Nobody following the situation in Ukraine could fail to be moved by the appalling suffering which has unfolded on our TV screens every day. We just wanted to make the most practically useful contribution to the humanitarian aid effort. For us that had to be donating highquality protective equipment to help support the amazing efforts of frontline workers.”

Vadym Prystaiko, Ukraine’s Ambassador to the UK, extended his sincere thanks and gratitude to the Skipasund

Foundation and to Globus Group. “Their generous donation of vital equipment will help to keep those working on the ground in Ukraine protected. As the war continues it’s crucial that we keep supplies of kit and other aid coming and get it into the hands of those that need it as quickly as possible,” he noted.

The final shipment to deliver the vital PPE to the border hubs arrived on 6 June.

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UK NEWS

‘LONDON LIFESAVERS’ CAMPAIGN TO GET MORE LONDONERS ON BOARD

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ondon Ambulance Service (LAS) is calling on Londoners to join a lifesaving movement as part of its ‘London Lifesavers’ campaign, which aims to recruit and train 100,000 life savers who can perform chest compressions and use a defibrillator.

LAS responded to almost 14,000 cardiac arrests across the capital in 2021, and in the time it takes for an ambulance crew to arrive at the scene, the actions of passers-by can make the difference between life and death, it noted. Without lifesaving intervention like CPR and defibrillators, the chances of survival decrease by 10% every minute.

The ‘London Lifesavers’ project, which has been boosted by £895,000 of funding from NHS Charities Together, aims to bring the number of trained volunteers to 100,000 and increase the number of defibrillators around London to more than 10,000.

Achieving that will mean more than 100 lives ever year could be saved.

LAS will work with communities, organisations

and the public to deliver CPR training, and support communities to introduce an extra 4,000 public access defibrillators in the city.

Once trained, Londoners will have the option to be connected to the LAS automatic alerting systems, such as the GoodSAM app. These systems are linked to the 999-call system and sends an alert to London Lifesavers when someone nearby is in cardiac arrest.

Importantly, our 999 call handlers are always here to help if you witness someone collapse and can talk you through what to do. London Lifesavers will also be kept up to date via regular newsletters on the latest guidance and news stories.

As the number of recruits begins to grow, LAS will consider other ways in which the campaign may help communities. These will range from checking in on the elderly and vulnerable in periods of extreme weather to collecting prescriptions or driving mobile patients to treatment centres.

ASSAULTS ON PRISON STAFF REMAINS A KEY CONCERN IN ENGLAND AND WALES

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ssaults on prison staff in England and Wales are on the rise once again, with an increase of 5% to 2,110 incidents (an average of almost 23 assaults daily in the quarter to September 2021), the latest UK government figures have revealed.

The number of serious prisoner-on-staff assaults increased by 18% to 204 incidents, a rate of more than two serious assaults on staff daily. Adrian Axtell, National Secretary of the trade union Community, commented: “We are deeply troubled to see that assaults on workers in our prisons have continued to rise. No-one should live with the constant threat or fear that they might be assaulted while at work. Yet those who work in the justice, custodial and immigration sector are all too often faced with that reality.”

He added: “The government’s own findings show us that since 2010, assaults on prison staff members have more than doubled. Research shows that this has led to ‘de facto decriminalisation’ of assaults on workers, with 64% saying that reporting abuse at work did not lead to any consequences.

“The figures are a sobering reminder of the challenges faced by prison workers. We are calling for immediate action on staffing levels, legal consequences and equipment to keep our members safe in their place of work.” The figures for the quarter to September 2021 include assaults in both public and private prisons.

The rising number of assaults on prison staff in England and Wales is a key concern.

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UK NEWS

FIREFIGHTERS’ UNION LAUNCHES CANCER CAMPAIGN

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campaign by the UK’s Fire Brigades Union (FBU) to reduce the risk of occupational cancer linked to exposure to fire contaminants is having an impact “in every corner of the fire and rescue service”, according to the union.

FBU is now pushing to build up the Firefighter Cancer and Disease Registry, which is based on a health survey for firefighters. “With more information in the registry we will be able to get more life-saving research done,” noted FBU National Officer Riccardo la Torre.

“We need every single firefighter to fill out that registry, whether they have been diagnosed with cancer, a disease or have never been diagnosed with anything – we need them to fill out that registry now. There is so much more we need to understand about the link between cancer and other diseases and the occupation of firefighting.”

He added: “We cannot protect ourselves from this danger if we don’t properly understand it and we simply cannot do that unless firefighters fill out that registry.” FBU officials have been visiting fire stations to promote awareness of and sign-ups to the cancer and disease registry.

Commenting on the growing reach of the union’s related DECON campaign to reduce firefighter exposures to toxins, la Torre said: “We’ve seen engagement in every corner of the fire and rescue service, we’ve seen posters going up, we’re seeing tweets, we’ve seen people with their babies wearing DECON stickers, and the training is being taken up. We’re getting requests for more information and more posters all the time.”

The Fire Brigades Union plans to build up the Firefighter Cancer and Disease Registry.

CRISIS GROWS AS AMBULANCE WAIT TIMES LEAVE LIVES AT RISK

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ives are at risk because ‘999’ callers face unacceptable and appalling waiting times for ambulances in England, the country’s top emergency medicine doctor has said.

Dr Katherine Henderson, President of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, said that pressure in the NHS was now so severe that it was breaking its “basic agreement” with the public to treat the sickest in a timely way.

She said urgent and emergency care was in a “deeper crisis than ever before”, and for the first time in its history the NHS could no longer stick to its “contract” with the nation to promptly reach seriously ill patients who dial 999.

“The current situation is breaking the workforce and breaking our hearts,” Henderson said.

Helga Pile, Deputy Head of Health at UNISON union, commented: “Dealing with repeated peaks of pressure with a depleted workforce is taking a huge toll.”

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A rising number of ‘999’ callers face long waiting times for ambulances in England.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

EU PLEDGES FURTHER €205M IN HUMANITARIAN AID FOR UKRAINE

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n light of the soaring humanitarian needs in Ukraine, EU Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarčič recently visited the Eastern Europe country to meet with humanitarian organisations and high-level Ukrainian government officials to help coordinate the EU’s crisis response on the ground.

On this occasion, the EU has allocated an extra €205m in humanitarian assistance, bringing the total EU humanitarian aid funding in response to Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine to €348m, of which €13m goes for projects in neighbouring Moldova to support displaced people arriving in the country.

EU Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarčič, said: “In this moment of crisis, our duty is to stand by the most vulnerable. We have swiftly responded by considerably scaling up our presence in Ukraine. With this funding our humanitarian partners are providing food, water, healthcare, shelter, protection and cash assistance.

We are also working closely with the Ukrainian authorities to ensure the assistance provided by the EU Member States is aligned with the constantly evolving needs.

Through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, we have delivered millions of lifesaving supplies to Ukrainians, and we are committed to support Ukraine as long as it takes.”

The EU has also mobilised all possible resources to support getting aid into Ukraine, which includes the largest-ever mobilisation of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. All 27 Member States, as well as Turkey, Norway and North Macedonia, have provided more than

EU Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarčič pictured with humanitarian officials to help co-ordinate the EU’s crisis response on the ground.

38,000 tonnes of aid including first aid kits, food, PPE and strategic equipment like fire trucks, mobile hospitals and energy supplies to be delivered to Ukraine with a financial value of €373m. Given the scale of this operation, the EU has established logistics hubs in neighbouring Poland, Romania and Slovakia to expedite the deliveries, while two EU funded humanitarian warehouses and logistics operations have also been set up in Ukraine.

Over 500 patients from Ukraine in need of continued treatment or urgent medical assistance have also been transferred to European hospitals through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism from Ukraine, Moldova and bordering countries. Ireland is one of the destination countries, which also includes Belgium, Germany, Denmark, Spain, France, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Romania and Sweden.

‘WORLD RESCUE CHALLENGE 2022’ SET FOR LUXEMBOURG

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he World Rescue Challenge (WRC) will be staged in Luxembourg in September, following the cancellation of last year’s event in Miami, Florida due to the challenges brought about by the pandemic.

response crews may be called to attend. It also gives teams an opportunity to demonstrate a range of techniques and options to extricate casualties. Team performances are analysed over a series of scenarios, while learning and education in all facets of vehicle extrication is The World Rescue Organisation (WRO) Executive and promoted. the North American Vehicle Rescue Association (NAVRA), The goal of a rescue/extrication challenge is to save organised a virtual event instead in November 2021. the casualties out of crashed WRC2022, which features a Trauma and a Rescue vehicles. The assessors Challenge, will take place on 7-11 September at the evaluate the team’s casualtyLuxembourg Fire and Rescue Corps HQ. centered and safe approach, technical skills during Trauma Challenge: The objective of this challenge is to the extrication and their assist in developing trauma-related skills for firefighters and communication skills rescue workers, in order to deal successfully with the vast Each team, consisting of range of casualty-centered incidents. six members (a team leader, a Each team, consisting of two members of a fire medic and a technical crew), and rescue service, will be assessed on their ‘lifesaving will attend three different capabilities’ during two ten-minute, trauma-based scenarios: Rapid scenario: 1 scenarios. The teams must assess and treat live casualties critical casualty; 10 minutes that simulate life-threatening injuries such as fractures, Standard scenario: 1 trapped massive bleeding and spinal/pelvic injuries. casualty; 20 minutes Complex For more information visit www.wrc2022.lu or email Rescue Challenge: This challenge is designed to meet the scenario: 1 critical casualty, 1 replicate road rescue/extrication scenarios that emergency trapped casualty; 30 minutes. info@wrc2022.lu

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INTERNATIONAL NEWS

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EXTRA €50M HUMANITARIAN AID TO SUPPORT TURKISH REFUGEES AND HOST COMMUNITIES

he EU will provide €50m to support vulnerable Turkish refugees and their host communities, to go towards specialised healthcare services and help to address issues including legal counselling, psychosocial support and access to civil documentation.

This humanitarian aid is provided in addition to the EU’s Emergency Social Safety Net (ESSN), which currently supports over 1.5 million people in Turkey though cash assistance. The ESSN helps them pay for the things they need most, such as rent, transportation, food, or medicine.

EU Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarčič, said that whilst the world’s eyes are on Ukraine, the refugees in Turkey, many of whom have been displaced for over a decade now, will not be forgotten.

© EU 2022 (Photographer: Diego Cupolo) “The most vulnerable among them have been especially hard hit by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the worsening of their economic situation. The EU will continue to provide humanitarian aid to refugees in Turkey to fill the gaps and offer a lifeline to those most in need.”

The cost of living and lack of

access to regular income make it difficult for vulnerable families to make ends meet. Turkey has made commendable efforts to provide them with access to basic services, including education and health care, but many face deepening debt and poverty due to the secondary impacts of Covid and the depreciation of the Turkish Lira.

US REPORT REVIEWS SOLUTIONS TO WILDFIRES FOR FRONTLINE AGENCIES

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ithout significant collaborative efforts to facilitate change, the US will continue to suffer catastrophic wildfire losses, according to a report, which has outlined recommendations on the wildland urban interface (WUI) fire problems for elected officials, policymakers and all levels of government, tribal and response agencies

To trigger a sense of urgency and motivation to act, the US Fire Administration has collaborated with the Department of the Interior and the Forest Service to develop this report.

It documents the opportunities for organisations and partners at all levels to work with each other and resolve the challenges identified in the WUI. The US has experienced staggering losses caused by wildfires, which in wildland urban areas have led to devastating losses of life, health and property, and cascading financial losses, according to the report.

Considering certain land and fire management decisions, along with climate change, wildfires are moving with a speed and intensity previously unseen.

Additionally, recent population growth and decades of growing housing development in the WUI is leaving the nation vulnerable to further loss, it noted.

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