‘This is about saving lives’ – Louth councillor calls for volunteer rescue database

By Olivia Ryan, The Drogheda Independent

A Louth councillor has called for a database to be set up, listing volunteer water search and rescue groups across the county.

Drogheda councillor, Debbie McCole, submitted a motion to the July meeting of Louth County Council, “noting the recent deaths from drowning and calls from Water Safety Ireland for heightened vigilance around water.”

She asked for the council to establish a database, by geographical area, to list all the voluntary groups in Louth: “detailing their skill sets and specialities, including diving skills, that compliment the Coast Guard and other marine rescue services.”

Cllr. McCole stated that a protocol should be implemented “which mandates that the appropriate volunteer group in the geographical area be called in the event of an emergency, where their skills would be required.”

She told the meeting that while the marine rescue services “do great work” there are incidents where additional skillsets are required.

Cllr. Maeve Yore said she fully supported the motion, adding: “Anything that can support our emergency services can only be of benefit.”

Cllr. Robert Nash, who is retained firefighter, said: “As a member of the emergency services I want to commend this motion. We do have some wonderful volunteers and voluntary groups in Louth, such as the Boyne River Rescue and the Dundalk Sub Aqua, and we do in the fire service collaborate with these groups.”

He asked if the formation of a special emergency response team would be considered, including both the public sector and private sector.

In response to Cllr. McCole’s motion, Director of Services at Louth County Council, David Hanratty, explained that “through the Major Emergency Planning function the council have a database of voluntary response agencies, and has a good working relationship with these organisations.”

"As part of a review and update of the Louth County Council Major Emergency Plan in 2025, the inclusion of geographic information for these bodies will be investigated.”

He added: “The decision to call upon these voluntary groups is an operational function and is best left with the principal emergency services on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the specific nature of each individual incident. In addition, while we always co-ordinate, collaborate and train with colleagues in other emergency response organisations, both statutory and voluntary, a protocol cannot be developed by Louth County Council which mandates a third party organisation to take particular actions.”

Cllr. McCole said she welcomed moves to include geographical information to the database, adding: “This is about saving lives, so any information that compliments the work of voluntary services can only be beneficial and positive.”