Civil Defence

What do we do?

Civil Defence is a statutory organisation of over 6,000 volunteers nationwide, multi skilled and resourced to help and assist their local communities, particularly in times of an emergency.

Our aim in Waterford County is to develop Civil Defence as a top class reserve emergency resource and to focus the organisation to better serve and respond to the needs of the county.

What is our role?

We provide assistance in support of the professional emergency services in times of major incidents or emergencies like flooding or water shortages. We also provide Ambulance and First Aid cover in support of community events such as Concerts, Horse Racing, Cycling and GAA matches. These events provide the opportunity to gain experience and put our training into practice.

We operate throughout Waterford County but have also deployed and played vital roles in the South East Region and at National Events.

Who are the people involved?

Volunteer members are encouraged to develop their skills and interests in any of our services, such as First Aid, Land Search and Rescue, Fire Fighting, Water Rescue, Radiation Monitoring, Radio Communications, and looking after the Welfare of those evacuated during an emergency.

To develop Civil Defence we need skilled people, who have an interest in learning and developing lifesaving skills so that as part of a team you can make a difference in the community.

Members are trained in various skills such as first aid, ambulance skills, rescue, basic fire fighting, emergency feeding, evacuee care, land and water search, radiation monitoring, boat handling, driving, and communications. Other skills taught are map reading, compass work, response to flooding, environmental problems, blizzard conditions and major emergencies.