Civil Defence Flood Relief Efforts

8 January 2016

Civil Defence Flood Relief Efforts – (7th – 8th January 2016)

Civil Defence Units have been deployed to assist communities since 4th December, deployed to numerous duties in the countrywide flood relief effort following Storms Desmond, Eva and Frank.  28 separate local authority areas have been activated, a total of 696 volunteers have responded with an average of 15 deployed assisting in an area at any given time.

 

  • Longford (7th – 8th January)

 

6 volunteers deployed, transporting people for provisions, deployment of sandbags, provision of transport to Council staff inspecting flooded areas, monitoring water levels.

3 X 4WDs, 1 High Bodied Truck, 5 Water Pumps utilised.

 

  • Dublin (7th – 8th January)

 

5 volunteers deployed, using All Terrain Vehicle to transport children to school and to transport isolated residents in Clondra, Longford to and from town for provisions, using off-road truck at Bailey Harbour, Newtowncashel, Longford to transport isolated residents and to distribute sandbags to homes under threat of flooding .

1X All-Terrain vehicle, 1X off-road Truck utilised.

 

  • Wicklow ( 7th January)

 

9 volunteers deployed, assisting the Fire Service pumping flood water and distributing sandbags in Kilcoole and Newcastle.

4 X 4WDs, 1 Flood Response Van utilised.

 

  • Meath (7th – 8th January)

 

2 volunteers deployed, monitoring water levels.

1 x 4WD utilised.

 

  • Roscommon (7th – 8th January)

 

4 volunteers deployed, transporting children to school marooned by flood waters, checking on vulnerable people in isolated areas, erecting markers in flooded area.

2 X 4WDs, 1 Rescue Vehicle, 1 Boat, 6 Radios, 4 Buoyancy Aids, Lights and Wading Poles utilised.

 

  • Westmeath (7th – 8th January)

 

8 volunteers deployed, assisting county council with refuse collection in Athlone, providing checks to vulnerable people, transported patients to doctors for medical checks,  transporting Council Engineer to conduct assessments on businesses following flooding, monitoring flood waters.

4 X 4WD vehicles utilised.

 

  • Clare (7th – 8th January)

 

2 volunteers (Swiftwater Instructors) deployed, advising flood affected families in Springfield area regarding water safety and wearing of life jackets, advising Killaloe firefighters on water safety and safe use of rescue rafts.

1 4WD vehicle utilised.

 

  • Mayo (7th – 8th January)

 

4 volunteers deployed, transporting ‘home help’ to inaccessible clients in Cong.

1 X 4WD, 1 Boat utilised.

 

  • Kildare (7th – 8th January 2016)

 

2 volunteers were deployed, monitoring water levels on the river Barrow at Mageney, Athy.

1X4WD vehicle utilised.

 

  • Limerick (7th – 8th January 2016)

 

5 volunteers were deployed, providing catering facilities for Local Authoring personnel.

2X4WD Vehicles, generators and pumps utilised.

 

*Civil Defence Units remain on standby to assist as required. Civil Defence has 4,000 volunteers based in every Local Authority area in the country. Civil Defence has a wide range of equipment to deal with flooding including 88 Boats, 47 Fire Tenders, 9 Floating Pontoon Units and 130 Four Wheel Drive vehicles.