FROM THE FIELD

Notes for Editor

1. The Irish Red Cross has invested nearly Euro 6.5 million in upgrading and expanding its ambulance fleet since its renewal programme got underway around the country in 2002.
2. Some 90 vehicles including traditional ambulances, off-road ambulances, mobile command and control centres, minibuses and wheelchair-adaptable minibuses have been made available to communities throughout Ireland by the Irish Red Cross which is a voluntary organisation.
3. The investment programme was implemented to help meet the needs of the new national plan to deal with emergencies that arise – the Framework for Major Emergency Management - which recognises the role of the Irish Red Cross alongside the statutory emergency services and other bodies.The ambulance replacement programme will increase the ability of the Irish Red Cross to deal with new kinds of emergencies that require faster responses and the ability to reach more remote areas, by introducing – for the first time – mobile command and control units in addition to its traditional ambulances, minibuses, wheelchair-adapted minibuses and off-road vehicles.
4. The Irish Red Cross is the most widely recognised provider of First Aid training in Ireland.[1] Training can be arranged on www.RedCrossTraining.ie or by calling 1890 502 502.
5. The Irish Red Cross is a leading provider of immediate cardiac care and training through an extensive programme of defibrillator provision to every county in Ireland. Defibrillators are small electric devices that can shock a casualty in cardiac arrest.
6. The Irish Red Cross is a voluntary organisation of more than 4,000 members in 145 branches in every county in Ireland.
7. The Irish Red Cross is part of the largest voluntary organisation in the world, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement which has 97 million volunteers in 187 countries.
8. Through its founder and its own achievements, the Red Cross & Red Crescent Movement has won the Nobel Peace Prize more often than any other single entity – four times in total.
9. In 2009 both the Irish Red Cross and its international affiliates celebrates their founding anniversaries, with 70 years of the Red Cross in Ireland and 150 years of action to save lives worldwide.

[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]

[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]

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