Boyne rescue team receive top training

Drogheda Independent - Wednesday May 13 2009

Over 20 members of BFRRS are now trained in Fetac Occupational First Aid and External Automated Defibrillation (AED) approved by the Health Safety Authority.

The training programme also included Rescue Emergency Care (REC) 3, an internationally recognised first aid training award for remote and rural environments.

This involves training in oxygen therapy administration, in respiratory and cardiac arrest and casualties with severe shortness of breath.

The course consisted of over 30 hours of classroom theory, practical and scenarios with a final written exam and assessment.

'While all our members have completed first aid courses in the past, this course was tailor made to suit our rescue service,' said Richard Skelly of the BFRRS.

'The fact that we can now also give oxygen to a casualty is an added benefit to the service we provide. In the final part of the exam our crews had to respond to an incident involving a boat accident with a number of casualties, where all our skills were put into action - ranging from triage, drug administration and spinal embolisation. We now feel our service has a range of skills and equipment to deal with most incidents we come across.'

He said this standard of training could not be achieved without the ongoing support the organisation receive from the people of Drogheda and further afield.

The course was provided by local company First Response who are experienced emergency personnel and provide first aid training to suit all environments and businesses.