Irish Red Cross Releases

This week, hundreds of volunteers from over 20 European countries will converge on Dundalk as the Irish Red Cross hosts the 2012 First Aid Convention in Europe, known as FACE.  Dundalk’s streets, parks and shopping centres will be transformed into a series of mock emergency scenarios when the Co. Louth town welcomes the Red Cross volunteers for the annual event, held last year in Venice.

On Friday July 6^th, Minister for State, Paul Keogh T.D will officially open the event at a welcoming address in Dundalk Institute of Technology.  This will be followed by an Emergency Services display by local Irish Red Cross Volunteers and the Emergency Aero medical Service (EAS) helicopter. On Friday evening all participating countries will take part in a parade followed by entertainment at Dundalk’s Market Square.

On Saturday teams will compete in a tough first aid competition which offers an opportunity for volunteers to showcase their first aid techniques through real-life first aid scenarios.  In previous years, these staged scenarios have included simulations of car accidents, bike accidents, emergency labour etc.  The details of this year’s scenarios will be kept under wraps until the competition kicks off.

Vice Chairman of the Irish Red Cross and native of Dundalk, Tom Horwell, said “We are looking forward to welcoming our European visitors to FACE 2012 in Dundalk.  This is an opportunity to experience the wealth of cultural attractions that Ireland has to offer and will be a great boost to local tourism.”

The Irish Red Cross has an extensive network of volunteers throughout Ireland who support its role as an auxiliary to the State and also provide numerous services such as first aid training, skin camouflage, and event cover.

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Note to Editor:

For more information please contact

Rebecca Thorn, Irish Red Cross Communications Executive – 087 743 3275

Photo: 

Irish Red Cross Volunteers demonstrate first aid on a model in the run up to the First Aid Convention Europe which will be hosted in Dundalk from July 5^th to 8^th. Laura Gallagher Photography