star of life volume one issue 3
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Emergency Response and Rescue Corps news letterTRANSCRIPT
Welcome to the third issue of the Emergency Response and Rescue Corps newsletter. The aim of this newsletter is to share with our readers our achievements, projects and experiences.
It has been over a year from the start of the corps, and we can say successfully that we have
Implemented a series of projects for the well being of the local communities.
From the Editor
In this issue
President`s address Page 2
Blood Donation compaign Page 2
25 new lifeguards Page 3
Zip line activities Page 3
White Waters Page 4
ICESAR 2012 Page 6
Training to the public Page 6
To the rescue Page 7
Lifeguards donate blood Page 7
Pass Pass ma Puttinu Page 7
Summer camp 2012 Page 8
UEFA tournament Page 8
Lifeguarding Page 10
Fix n ride Cycling safety for
children
Page 9
Photo diary Page 11
Blood donation campaign
ERRC Newsletter - Volume 1 Issue 2 Page 2
The Emergency Response and Rescue Corps in
collaboration with the National Blood Transfusion
Service and the Arkadia Commercial Centre
organised a Blood Drive at Arkadia in Victoria.
The four hour Blood Drive started at 9:00am.
Forty-three people turned up to donate blood, the
majority being first time blood donors.
The ERRC would like to thank the management of
Arkadia Commerical Centre for providing its
premises to host the blood drive and the nursing
staff of the National Blood Transfusion Service for
their sterling service.
The Word of the President of E.R.R.C.
2012 is drawing to an end. It was a year which will be remembered in history for its leaps forward and for reminding us all once again that we can never be complacent. For the ERRC 2012 meant a quantum leap forward in all its operations and sectors – a year of absolute records. Records in obtaining for Gozo and Malta EU funding; record in the number and types of courses and training given to the general public, local councils, government entities, private companies, NGOs, etc; opportunities for our volunteers, cadets and members were never so abundant. Today more than ever before, more Gozitans and Maltese are trained in the 35 courses on offer by the ERRC, therefore, creating a better prepared society. As President I am very proud of what the ERRC and all its sections achieved in 2012 and will surely serve as the basis for another major quantum leap in 2013 and beyond. Complacency is inbuilt in our Gozitan and Maltese characters and unfortunately reflected in the way we do things even in matters endangering the lives of people. We must consistently battle against complacency and be prepared 24/7 as professionally as possible not just on week days. The Gharb tragedy has once again shuck the core of Gozitan society and has touched the very essence of what we as Gozitan and Maltese treasure – life itself. But if truly and re-ally we treasure the value of life we must seriously examine all from A to Z. The Gharb tragedy and the four victims is a small-scale tragedy compared what can happen if, God forbid we face a regional or national catastrophe which can happen at any time without notice. The fundamental question I ask, are we as a nation doing all we can to be prepared to the utmost to face come what may? And here comes the role of the ERRC in the national context. If such a catastrophe strikes our mainland Malta, the ERRC can be a reliable hand to assist in this situation knowing that all hands and expertise will be needed, not just for events in Gozo and Comino. ERRC insists that Gozo urgently needs a Regional Emergency Rapid Response Centre. Our nation needs to muster all such emergency resources and continue to be prepared to the fullest towards that unfortunate day, that whether or not we want, it is like to come. Holy Christmas and the best for 2013 to all our chain of command, instructors, volunteers, cadets, members, partners and sponsors locally and abroad and to the Hon Giovanna Debono and the Hon Dr Chris Said for all their value assistance throughout the year.
Page 3
25 new lifeguards complete their training with ERRC
ERRC Newsletter - Volume 1 Issue 3
25 new lifeguards have recently completed an
intensive five-month course organised by the
Emergency Response Rescue Corps of Gozo.
Certificates were presented to the new lifeguards
by the Minister for Gozo, the Hon. Giovanna
Debono.
Through the summer months the ERRC concentrate their operations around Ramla Bay in
Gozo, as well as the Blue Lagoon in Comino.
The service that the ERRC provides is in
collaboration with the Malta Tourism Authority,
Ministry for Gozo – Eco-Gozo. Support is also
being provided by Transport Malta, Civil
protection Department and the Gaia Foundation.
Zip line activiites
Recently; ERRC has undertaken a series of Zip line
activities aimed at Students participating at Skola
Sajf. This activity was supported by the Council of
Voluntary Sector in Malta.
White Waters’ – Water Rescue Training in Wales and Italy
ERRC Newsletter - Volume 1 Issue 3 Page 4
Page 5 ERRC Newsletter - Volume 1 Issue 3
The project was funded by an
European Union Life long learning
program Leonardo Da Vinci
The Emergency Response and Rescue Corps was
the promoter and coordinator of a Leonardo Da
Vinci Mobility VETPRO European Project named
“White Waters”. The project took place in the
UK and Italy. Local partners involved in this
project include the Civil Protection Department,
whereas Rescue 3 UK and National Life Saving Society – Rome EUR Branch was responsible to
host our beneficiaries while abroad.
This project exposed a group of volunteers from
the ERRC and members of the Civil Protection
Department to specialised training in urban flood-
ing rescue techniques, rescue of people from
flooded vehicles and use of specialised watercrafts
during rescues.
This training will be beneficial locally because in
Malta and Gozo suffer from the flash flood
phenomenon . This occurs during heavy rainfall
and some roads turn into rivers. Volunteers tak-ing part in the project have undergone a series of
preparatory training sessions before they attend
to training abroad.
ERRC attends an International Search and Rescue Conference
ERRC Newsletter - Volume 1 Issue 3 Page 6
The Emergency Response and Rescue Corps participated and attended for "Rescue 2012" – an International Search and Rescue conference, hosted by the Icelandic Association for Search and Rescue in Reykjavik, Iceland.
Over 600 delegates from different countries attended the conference. Mr Etienne Micallef attended the event on behalf of the Emergency Response and Rescue Corps. ERRC established very good contacts with some other member organizations. In fact a se-ries of MOUs will be done in the areas of search and rescue.
The attendance for this conference was funded by the European Union Program Grundtvig Visits and Exchanges Action.
Training to the general public
The Emergency Response and Rescue Corps
recently provided a series of health and safety
related courses for industry. Course deliverd
included SCBA for industry use, working safety
at theihgts and introduction to health and safety.
ERRC is a leading traing provider, providing over
30 certified courses.
To the rescue
ERRC Newsletter - Volume 1 Issue 3
ERRC Lifeguards Donate
Lifeguards from the Emergency Response and Rescue
Corps organised a Blood Drive at the Blood
Donation Department at the Gozo General Hospital
on the 20th October 2012. The activity drew thirty
people to donate blood, eight of whom were first
time donors.
The Emergency Response and Rescue Corps urges
the general public to donate blood. Blood donation
saves lives.
The Emergency Response and Rescue Corps provided first aid and ambulance service cover-age during the Puttinu Cares fund raising event 'Pass Pass ma' Puttinu, miċ-Ċirkewwa saż-Żejtun'.
Puttinu Cares is a Childrens's Cancer Support Group. The event consisted in a walk from Ċirkewwa to Żejtun to raise funds to support Children with cancer.
Page 7
Tuesday 6th November volunteers were called by
the Civil Protection Department to offer
assistance during the fireworks factory accident in
Gharb. For this accident, an ambulance and two
rescue vehicles were deployed. Rescuers used
ERRC's portable lighting equipment including a
generator during the search for the victims. ERRC
volunteers gave psychological support to relatives
of the victims who were present onsite.
Pass Pass ma Puttinu
This accident claimed the lives of four persons.
The Emergency Response and Rescue Corps
extends it condolences to all relatives of the
victims during these difficult moments.
E.R.R.C. Cadets Summer Camp 2012
ERRC Newsletter - Volume 1 Issue 3 Page 8
The Emergency Response and Rescue Corps
(E.R.R.C.) Cadets have attended their annual
Summer Camp from the 6th till the 12th
of August. A number of activities were carried
out, where the cadets had the chance to
practice the first aid and survival skills
they continuously learn during meetings held during the year.
Simulations, cooking meals themselves and
building a survival shelter are only a few of the
activities carried out. Of course, apart from these educational activities, other games and
challenges included an obstacle race, abseiling
and rock climbing, task hunts, building a raft
and so on.
The Cadets in the E.R.R.C. are a group of
youngsters between the ages of 6 and 15 who
meet together to enhance social skills as well
as educational skills, which they can easily use
in their futures. Teamwork, socialisation and
great fun were the three main aims during this
camp; and were successfully induced. A well
done goes to all cadets and a big thank you to
all E.R.R.C. volunteers who helped throughout
the camp.
ERRC offering Ambulance service during a UEFA Tournament
The Emergency Response and Rescue Corps
offered First Aid and Ambulance service during
Intermediary Round of the the UEFA Regions
Cup. This four teams; Gozo, ATF Ialoveni of
Moldova, Rinuži/Strong of Latvia and FC Olimp
Moscow of Russia, held at the Gozo Stadium.
The tournament started on Sunday 14 October
and ended 18th October 2012.
Fix n Ride Cycling Safety for Children
ERRC Newsletter - Volume 1 Issue 3 Page 9
ERRC is the organiser of Fix n Ride Cycling Safety for children, a Youth in Action Project (Youth
Initiatives European Union funded Project), aimed to increase awareness about safe cycling skills and road
safety.
The project integrated disabled persons and young people having fewer opportunities in normal sports
activity while promote healthy living and education through sports.
A series of events are being organized by the ERRC. These include safe cycling campaigns, bike safety
festivals and the production of a kids bike safety manual..
Lifeguarding
ERRC Newsletter - Volume 1 Issue 3 Page
This summer the E.R.R.C. lifeguards catered for 1223 cases, which ranged from jellyfish stings, minor
wounds, sunstroke, fractures, lost children, spinal injuries which required helicopter evacuation to Mater
Dei Hospital. ERRC liofeguards were stationed at Blue lagoon and Ramla Bay Gozo.
Eric Bonello equipped for working at heights
course
Photo diary
ERRC Newsletter - Volume 1 Issue 3 Page 11
Snap shot of our trauma manikin during the
AFM open day
Raising children awareness off CPR