An Cosantóir

www.military.ie THE DEFENCE FORCES MAGAZINE The value of this deliberate approach to interoperability was demonstrated in November 2025, when the Medical Corps participated in a planned mass casualty exercise involving the NAS, the Medical Corps, and Air Corps Emergency Aeromedical Service assets at Carnagh Range. While it is not possible to plan for every specific scenario, structured planning and rehearsal remain indispensable, allowing personnel to develop a strategic mindset and, at a tactical level, enhance situational awareness and experience of operating in complex multi-agency environments. Such exercises also demonstrate professional alignment through the use of shared clinical language, procedures, and decision-making frameworks. Although differences in command‑and‑control structures exist between organisations, repeated joint training and exercises reduce friction, support timely decision- making, and ensure these differences do not impede effective operations during live incidents. When interoperability functions effectively, it directly enhances patient safety, improves coordination between responders, and strengthens outcomes during time-critical emergencies. In this context, the NAS represents the Medical Corps' most frequent and operationally significant civilian partner, translating interoperability from concept into daily practice. Interoperability in Practice The NAS has become a routine operational partner of the Medical Corps, supported by a service level agreement. This agreement allows suitably qualified Defence Forces personnel to crew Defence Forces ambulances and undertake operational shifts, with crews tasked through the National Emergency Operations Centre. Consequently, in December 2025, the NAS requested Defence Forces assistance during a period of surge demand, with Defence Forces crews providing cover over a ten (10) day period and responding to 45 emergency calls. This level of integration is enabled by prior joint training and shared professional standards. This cooperation directly enhances patient safety and continuity of care. Where Defence Forces assets have been deployed in support of the NAS, the burden on NAS crews has been reduced and response times to incidents improved. In parallel, Defence Forces personnel maintain critical clinical skillsets and are better prepared to operate in Defence Forces environments, both domestically and overseas. The presence of Defence Forces crews responding to incidents in uniform also plays a role in building public trust and confidence in both organisations. This partnership reflects a broader approach within the Medical Corps, where professionalism, preparation, and integration underpin how it operates with partners across the operational spectrum. Conclusion 2025 saw a considerable increase in operational tempo for the Medical Corps, a trend that is expected to continue into 2026 and beyond, with an increased focus on interoperability, professionalism, and service delivery. The Medical Corps is a standing operational capability of the Defence Forces, providing continuous, timely, and reliable medical support across all operational environments. The credibility of the Medical Corps is underpinned by its professionalism, driven by disciplined standards, robust governance, and thorough preparation. Interoperability is embedded as a cornerstone of Medical Corps operations and is developed deliberately and rehearsed as a matter of routine. This interoperability enhances national resilience and public safety, particularly during periods of surge demand. The Medical Corps remains committed to maintaining readiness and delivering professional medical support in service of the Defence Forces and the wider community.

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