Learn skills. Save lives – Tánaiste launches new nationwide campaign urging people to join Civil Defence
- Foilsithe:
- An t-eolas is déanaí:
Tánaiste and Minister for Defence, Simon Harris, has today (Saturday, 20th September) launched a new nationwide campaign urging people to join the Civil Defence.
The recruitment campaign is highlighting the many benefits of being involved in the Civil Defence, which include the learning of essential skills that can save lives.
The Department of Defence will run a social media and radio campaign targeted at raising the profile of Civil Defence with a view to attracting and recruiting new Volunteers.
The campaign features volunteers demonstrating key skills essential to Civil Defence duties – including medical response, catering, drone piloting, land and water search.
The aim is to increase the number of Civil Defence volunteers to ensure it can support communities and principal response agencies during local events across the State and in emergency response.
Launching the campaign today, The Tánaiste, Simon Harris, said:
“Our Civil Defence personnel go to the heart of what volunteerism is all about – supporting communities and helping people in need.
“We saw first-hand that sense of dedication earlier this year in the aftermath of Storm Éowyn, when our volunteers played a leading role in the State’s response.
“Today, I’m delighted to launch a new nationwide campaign aimed at recruiting more women and men into the Civil Defence.
“Volunteering for Civil Defence can be remarkably rewarding, with the opportunity for learning new skills while helping your own community.
“My Department is working with local authorities to grow Civil Defence in the years ahead, to ensure it can assist the principal response agencies in dealing with the growing effects of climate change and other challenges that face us.”
Tánaiste Simon Harris
The campaign’s launch will be preceded by the first of three regional events for Volunteers to commemorate 75 years of Civil Defence in Ireland.
Today, the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless TD, will present commemorative medals to 350 Volunteers from nine counties at the event in Maynooth University.
Speaking at the event in Maynooth, Minister Lawless said:
“I am honoured to commemorate 75 years of Civil Defence in Ireland, a proud tradition of service, resilience, and community spirit. From its foundation in 1950 to its vital role today, Civil Defence has consistently adapted to meet the needs of the Irish people.
“Last May, I announced Research Ireland funding for the Defence Innovation Challenge, which included Civil Defence through its search and rescue role. It demonstrated how this organisation continues to embrace innovation while remaining true to its core ethos of service.”
Minister James Lawless
Civil Defence in Ireland has evolved over the years, shifting focus from the threat of nuclear war to emergency response, medical response, search and community support. Civil Defence were particularly active during the heavy snow and Storm Éowyn earlier in the year. They are active all year round at numerous community events but also in support of the Principal Response Agencies.
Anyone interested in joining Civil Defence can visit CivilDefence.ie/join to find out more.