Emergency services plan big recruitment drive
It is hoped the event, one of the biggest of its kind ever staged in the city, will encourage people to volunteer to work with the civil defence, St John’s Ambulance, the Order of Malta, and the Irish Red Cross.
The event will feature demonstrations, drills, exhibitions, and a range of activities promoting and showcasing the best of the emergency services.
Organisers will simulate crash scenes, perform fire-fighting displays, take to the River Lee in sea riders to perform rib displays, and mount a simulated rescue operation in which rescue personnel will abseil from buildings.
The event is being organised by the Knocknaheeny Hollyhill Garda Youth Diversion Project under the European Social Fund in conjunction with the Gurranabraher gardaí and Cork City Council.
Lord Mayor Terry Shannon announced details of the event yesterday which will take place at City Hall on Sept 14-16.
“These voluntary and statutory groups are a crucial service to the city and to people of Cork,” he said.
“When you look back on the serious flooding that this city encountered in 2009 and at the severe cold weather crises, we would not have survived these challenges without the voluntary, statutory, and emergency services.”
He urged students, especially those in Transition Year, to visit the stands and consider taking up a voluntary role in the services.
City manager Tim Lucy said the city council, which plays a leading role in planning and responding to all kinds of emergencies, is delighted to support this exhibition.
Gurranabraher-based Supt Con Cadogan said representatives from more than 30 voluntary organisations will man information stands at the event, provide information of what they do and register volunteers.
Children attending the event must be accompanied by an adult.
The garda junior liaison officers and community gardaí will be calling to secondary schools in the coming days to promote the event.
