Search & Rescue
The Civil Defence missing persons search responder service is very valuable within any community. Members are trained in urban rescue, open country search and rescuing people trapped in swift water environments or inland waterways in a safe and efficient manner.
Training covers:
- Search & Rescue incorporating the levels of Search Responder, Search Team Leader and Search Manager.
- First aid skills between the scope of practice in Cardiac First Responder up to Emergency Medical Technician.
- Drone flight, with pilots operating at A1 & A3 licenses as well as A2.
- Communications that utilise UVF, HVF and Marine band radios.
- Boating license for up to Level 3 light watercraft.
- Kayaking level 1 & 2 with some counties operating at level 3+
Incidents involving Aircraft, Trains or other means of transportation could be of a scale that would lead to Civil Defence involvement. Skills and equipment related to these types of operation are in constant development and are currently under review with a view to broadening the scope of Civil Defence capabilities.
The rescue service offers a physically enduring and challenging outdoor activity for members to partake in. Members must have a physical fitness and stamina level that would enable them to undergo long periods of sustained activity in extreme weather conditions. Training is conducted mostly out of doors in quarries, caves, industrial premises or rock faces.
Water Search And Rescue
The Monaghan Boat Unit train periodically on Lough Muckno, near Castleblayney, and on other lakes within the county. Our training deals mostly with the skills referred to in the Level 2 and Safety Boat programmes. The Monaghan crew consists of members with level 2, Safety Boat and Advanced Power Boating qualifications. Several of our crew are also qualified to operate VHF Marine Band radios. Crew members have varying levels of first aid.
Over the past number of years we have organised, successful, regional exercises with counties Cavan, Meath and Louth. The scenarios at these exercises have not only included the skills relating to the above mentioned programmes but also G.P.S.& first aid.
The Monaghan Boat Unit is a regular visitor to Slane, helping out patrolling the river during concerts. Civil Defence provide crews to assist Monaghan County Council in monitoring lakes within the county at specific times during the year. Needless to say, the crew is always ready for a call-out- mostly search and recovery. The call generally comes from An Garda Siochana via the Civil Defence Officer.
If you are interested in joining the Civil Defence please send your contact details to one of the following email addresses:
Email: bmccreery@monaghancoco.ie Civil Defence Officer
Email : keith.murphy@monaghancoco.ie Assistance Civil Defence Officer
or telephone: 047 81100