FACE 2013

On Thursday 13^th June our Senior team representing Ireland (team Ireland 1), along with trainer Imelda O’Connor, official photographer Cecily Lyons and adjudicator David O’Sullivan (Mallow Branch), departed Cork airport following a farewell party organised by the Cork Area with representatives from the Cork Area Committee, Ballinora/Ballincollig Branch and others from the South-West units, who meet them at the airport.

The team arrived in Wels to the opening party on Thursday evening where they joined with members of team Ireland 2 and supporters, as well as representatives from headquarters (Bernie Stevenson & Tony Lawyor).

The official opening ceremony on Friday evening consisted of a parade of the teams (thanks to Mary Murphy for the flag!) after which there was music and opening addresses in the convention centre. It was early to bed for all given the early start on Saturday morning.

The FACE 2013 competition begun at 7am and it wasn’t long before the sun was out and the temperature soared to almost 30°C. There were work stations and “fun” stations each of which were faced into by the team with energy and gusto!From train crashes, to fires underground, incidences in swimming pools, rivers, fire stations etc., the team were faced with injuries ranging from bleeding, fractures burns and cardiac arrests. The team impressed judges with their calm, caring and efficient manner and of course their umbrellas! As for the fun stations ... from milking cows, tight rope walking to building ambulances there was an abundance of activities! The favourite however had to be when in the late afternoon outside a church in Wels, Agnes and Francis of the Irish Red Cross were waiting for eager customers for hand and back massages!

At last the clock rolled around to 6pm and FACE 2013 was over. Out of the red working uniforms and into their finery (i.e. dress uniforms!) the team returned to the convention centre for the eagerly anticipated results!

Out of 20 teams, team Ireland were awarded 4^th place (see full list of teams, rankings and scores attached). Needless to say the celebrations ran on throughout the night only hampered by the early start to Vienna Sunday morning with our enthusiastic bus driver Hoarst from the Austrian Red Cross.

Arriving back into Dublin the team were chauffer driven to Kildare by Catriona and Peter Ryan of Dublin Borough Red Cross, where they were meet by more adoring fans and transported home by Claire Beasley, Denis Murphy & Shane Barry.

On behalf of the team I would like to extend our sincere gratitude and appreciation to our trainer Imelda O’Connor – without whom there would be no team! As well a mílebuíochas to all the unit and branch members who acted as adjudicators, patients, agents for hiring patients and fed us throughout the two years training for FACE 2013. It was a wonderful experience for the team and would not have been possible without all of you.

In addition, others within the Red Cross who provided great support to the team:

-          Cork Area Committee, especially Ms Carly O’Donovan who arranged media coverage (Evening Echo 15/6/13).

-          Mr Ger McAuliffe, for his advice and recommendations on patient handling and supplies.

-          Mr Jonathan Tyner, for his constant encouragement and advice to the “ducks”.

-          ADU, Mr John Joe Lyons and RDU Mr Ted Noonan.

Other organisations which provided invaluable support:

-          Members of Ballinora Venture Scouts, Camogie Club, ICA and GAA (Michael Twohig) who all acted as patients over the past six months.

-          West Cork Civil Defence who provided a training day in Skibereen in April.

-          Equipment sponsors: Mark O’Sullivan (Irish EMS); Mark Fleming (Fleming Medical); Kieran Egan ( Eirmed – (Safety-Tec)); Trevor Mulcahy (SP Services).