In 2018 the Order of Malta Ambulance Corps based in Limerick City is celebrating 70 years inexistence serving the people of Limerick.
As part of Order of Malta Ireland, the Limerick Unit is part of an Ambulance Corps which is
one of the largest voluntary providers of first aid, ambulance and community care services
in Ireland. The Ambulance Corps has developed into an organization of more than 3000 members across more than 80 units throughout communities on the island of Ireland.
The Limerick Unit being the largest unit in the Mid-West region contributes to over 160,000
volunteer hours given nationally by members of the Ambulance Corps. In 2015 over 5,800
people were treated by its members with 515 of these transported to hospital for further
care. Based out of their premises on Davis Street the Limerick Units fleet of emergency
vehicles supplements the overall fleet available nationwide, which is the largest fleet in the
voluntary ambulance sector.
Part of the Limerick City Major Emergency plan volunteers from the Limerick Unit have
previously assisted in evacuation of St Mary’s Park during times of flooding and more
recently were placed on standby during Storm Ophelia.
Whilst first and foremost a voluntary ambulance service the Limerick Unit along with their
colleagues across the country volunteer at various events at both a local and national level.
As part of the framework of the Prehospital Emergency Care Council the Limerick Unit trains
its members from the level of First Aid Responder, through Emergency First Responder up
to the registered practitioner level of Emergency Medical Technician.
With strong links to communities across Limerick City volunteers from the Ambulance Corps
regularly provide community care services such as transport for the elderly and sick to
efforts on a more national scale such as travelling to Knock and Lourdes and indeed
providing volunteers to international youth camps.
The youth section in the Ambulance Corps known as the Cadets provide first aid training and
activities. The Cadets cater to children aged between 10 and 16 and is run by the senior
members of the organization.
Throughout 2018 volunteers from the Ambulance Corps will be a common sight across
Limerick with over 15 individuals’ events occurring throughout the year from participating in
Pay it Forward on Bedford Row in March to a guided history tour of locations in Limerick
associated with the Order in July.
In September the City of Limerick will host the Ambulance Corps National Competitions in
which teams of medics from units across the country will participate in live emergency
simulations and scenarios openly across the city for all to witness. In previous years these
scenarios have involved simulated drowning and BBQ explosions is city centre Parks. Any scenario is possible within the city.
Officer in Charge of the Limerick Unit Adj. Bryan Crosby admits ‘I may be slightly biased in
hoping for a home win we are looking forward to welcoming all our colleagues to Limerick for what always promises to be a great weekend’
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