FACE 2013
On Thursday 13th 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 4th 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).
