Thurles Order Of Malta ‘Clean Up’ At First Aid Nationals

Thurles Order of Malta Ambulance Corps – Mr Gerard Fogarty, Parnell Street, Thurles reports:-

Ten members of Thurles Order of Malta Ambulance Corps took part in the National First Aid Competitions held in Athlone, Co. Westmeath, recently.

 Members of Order of Malta Thurles at their National First Aid Competitions.
 
Back Row L-R: Michael Quinn, Eoin Fitzpatrick, Mark Cummins, Jaela Burke, Catherine O’Loughlin, Ciara Lanigan, &  Gerard Fogarty. Front Row L-R: Carmel O’Halloran,  John Wright (National Director), Darren Hehir, & Niamh Fitzpatrick.

The light rescue team comprising of Jaela Burke, Mark Cummins, Ger Fogarty, Carmel O’Halloran, Catherine O’Loughlin, and team leader Ciara Lanigan, won first place, after they transported a patient down Athlone Town Centre on a vacuum mattress.

Darren Hehir came first in the Emergency Medical Technician category, with his colleague James Kershaw from Drogheda.

Michael Quinn, aged 17 year, won first place in the First Aid Responder Individual category, after a very impressive performance.

A proud ‘Officer In Charge’, Catherine O’Loughlin complimented the competitors adding that “Thurles took part in five of the seven tests and came home with three trophies; the only unit attending to come home with more than one.  This builds upon the great success that the Thurles Cadet Corps had achieved at their competitions in July. It has been a great year for us in terms of competitions and training. We continuously strive to promote the best training and patient care standards in our members.”

Catherine continued, “We are very grateful to the instructors and all those who assisted in training over the previous couple of months. Well done to Eoin and Niamh Fitzpatrick who took part in the Emergency First Responder, and Assistance with Activities of Daily Living tests respectively. We look forward to building upon this success in Limerick next year.”

Our Cadet Corps would like to express their sincere gratitude to the Tipperary Education and Training Board, the National Lottery, and the Department of Children and Youth Affairs for their recent grant of funding and ongoing support.