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Minister praises contribution of Civil Defence volunteers

Wednesday, 1 July 2015

Home Affairs Minister Juan Watterson MHK has paid tribute to the volunteers who provide essential support for the Isle of Man's major sporting and community events.

Members of the Civil Defence Corps contributed more than 420 hours of assistance during this year's TT Festival and were out in force again on 20 June to provide logistics and first aid cover for the Parish Walk.

The organisation also continues to work alongside agencies such as the Constabulary, Fire and Rescue Service, Ambulance and Coastguard to add resilience in a variety of emergency situations, including missing person searches and the response to severe weather events.

Minister Watterson said:

'The primary focus of the Department of Home Affairs is to maintain community safety and to look after vulnerable people in their time of need. The Civil Defence Corps helps us to prepare for and respond to emergencies, and contributes to the safe and successful running of many high-profile events.'

He added:

'These volunteers devote a great deal of their own time to serving the local community, often working in extremely challenging circumstances. The role of the Civil Defence Corps was brought into sharp focus during the TT, dealing with the problems caused by the severe weather and assisting at the helicopter crash site.'

Minister Watterson has personally written to volunteers to thank them for their 'extraordinary efforts'.

The Civil Defence Corps responded during the heavy rain and gale force winds on the Monday of TT Practice Week, helping visiting campers at the height of the storm and performing welfare checks in the days that followed. Five emergency rest centres were prepared and ready to open had the need arisen, but the generosity of the Manx people ensured that campers were able to find alternative accommodation.

Volunteers also provided vital assistance when a helicopter crashed in high winds in the Baldwin Valley near to the 33rd Milestone, securing the scene from the time of the incident on Saturday until Monday morning, performing a search of the crash site and helping to remove wreckage.

The Civil Defence Corps is now putting in place plans to support a number of forthcoming sporting events. Fully trained hill search and rescue teams will be on duty at the Bradda Niarbyl English Championship fell race on 11 July and at the Isle of Man Mountain Ultra on 03 October, while volunteers will also assist the organisers of the 100-mile walking event on 15/16 August and the End to End walk on 21 September.

Minister Watterson said:

'In addition to dealing with events and emergencies, members of the Civil Defence Corps take part in training sessions throughout the year to enhance skills that could potentially help to save lives. The commitment and professionalism shown by our volunteers is another example of the Isle of Man's outstanding community spirit.'

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