E.R.R.C. volunteers during the Blood Drive

In response to the urgent blood appeal raised by the Blood Bank locally recently, the Emergency Response and Rescue Corps Volunteers has organised a the fourth blood drive of the year in Gozo on Wednesday, 28 December 2011. 

For the blood drive about fifteen volunteers attended. Some of them were also first time blood donors. 

The E.R.R.C. would like to thank the Gozo General Hospital, Blood Donation Department and would like to urge the general public to donate blood. 

The Blood Donation Department opens from 8.00 a.m to 11.30 a.m from Mondays to Fridays, and Saturday, from 8.00 a.m till 11.00 a.m.

Emergency Response and Rescue Corps Volunteers during the opening ceremony of Bethlehem in Ghajnsielem

As last year, the Emergency Response and Rescue Corps will be offering Ambulance and First Aid coverage for this year's edition of Bethlehem in Ghajnsielem. 

In November, the Corps in collaboration with The Fondazzjoni Bethlehem f’Ghajnsielem, had organised an open day in Ta' Passi, in which the E.R.R.C. volunteers organised emergency simulations using its ambulances. The also included fire fighting simulations. 

To consolidate the safety standards at Bethlehem in Ghajnsielem, last week the Emergency Response and Rescue Corps had provided Food Handling (Category B) and Basic Fire Fighting Courses to individuals which will be present during all the activity.

Minister for Gozo, Hon Giovanna Debono with E.R.R.C. volunteers and Lifesaver I

Lifesaver I, the hydro ambulance purchased by E.R.R.C. was officially inaugurated today by Minister of Gozo Hon Giovanna Debono in Xlendi Bay. Lifesaver I will be used during several lifeguarding services on the island as well as other first aid services. Today, it offered first aid support to two swimmers who swam 37km around Gozo to raise funds for the guide dogs. 

The hydro ambulance was financed by the Eco-Gozo funding scheme to NGO's.

E.R.R.C. volunteer during the fire fighting activity

The Emergency Response and Rescue Corps, in collaboration with Għajnsielem council, recently held an activity for children at the grounds of the Franciscan Convent in Għajnsielem on the feast of St Francis of Assisi. Activities included an areal runway for children and fire fighting demonstration.

During the same event, The Fondazzjoni Bethlehem f'Ghajnsielem made a donation to Emergency Response and Rescue Corps in recognition for last year's contribution at the nativity village. During the presentation, Mr Etienne Micallef Secretary General of E.R.R.C. announced that the Corps will once again provide all the necessary assistance for this year's event.   

The Fondazzjoni Bethlehem f'Ghajnsielem giving the donation to the E.R.R.C.

The areal runway

Emergency Response and Rescue Corps at Codice 3 together with the Polish group and Civil Protection Department

Recently, a group of volunteers of the Emergency Response and Rescue Corps joined other voluntary groups from around Europe to take part in Codice 3. Codice 3 is an International Exercise of Civil Protection and Emergency Service and was spread over the second weekend of October. It included several emergency simulations, some of which were held during the night, were volunteers from different organisations have to work together to compare their potential and knowledge. Some simulations included fire evacuations from an elderly home and a school, train accident, search and rescue exercises which involved K9, and a boat accident. Together with the Emergency Response and Rescue Corps there where other organisations from Poland, Switzerland and Italy. 

Codice 3 was organised by Pregnana Soccorso of Pregnana Milanese in collaboration with the Civil Protection Department of Lomazzo.