The Civil Defence Unit in Wexford is to be beefed up with a new four-wheel drive vehicle that will be used to respond to emergencies and severe weather events.

Minister with responsibility for Defence, Paul Kehoe, has this week allocated 32 new Ford Ranger crewcabs as part of the Government’s ongoing investment in Civil Defence, and Wexford has been chosen for one of these vehicles.

This will further enhance the Civil Defence fleet and ensure the organisation and its volunteers can continue to support the Principal Response Agencies of An Garda Síochána, the HSE and Local Authorities.

The announcement follows Department of Defence applying for and being awarded €1 million in funding from the Dormant Accounts Fund.

The vehicles are Ford Ranger crewcabs and are being supplied through an Office of Government Procurement contract.

Minister Kehoe said:

“Throughout our response to Covid-19, our Civil Defence and other volunteer agencies played a vital role in their respective communities.

From transporting patients to hospitals, nursing homes and testing centres to the collection of medications and medical equipment – we are rightly proud of our Civil Defence volunteers.

I’m therefore delighted that the Government is continuing to invest resources in Civil Defence, in this instance through the provision of vehicles.

These new vehicles will be an additional resource for those who give their time and work so hard in times of emergency.“

The Minister concluded by acknowledging and thanking Civil Defence volunteers and their families for their service to the organisation throughout the year, but especially since mid-March and the onset of COVID-19.  He paid tribute to the Wexford volunteers and CDO Peter O’Connor for their ongoing commitment.