An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir February 2017 www.dfmagazine.ie 38 | GivinG Back to Your communitY by CPL LEE COYLE V olunteer- ing your time to a local sports club or charitable organisation can be a great way to give something back to your com- munity. We spoke with Sgt Mick Barry about being a volunteer medic with the Order of the Malta Ambulance Corps. Mick has been a member of the DF since 1999. He completed his initial medic's course in 2002 and is currently serving as a sergeant medic in the Curragh military hospital. He got involved in the Order of Malta Ambulance Corps over two years ago, af ter he had heard about it through a doctor, Capt Patrick Kelly. Seeing this as a great way to get involved in his community and to give back by helping others with his medical skills, Mick joined his closest unit, in Palmerstown. The unit meets once a week to go over drills and organise the tasks and training that will be conducted over the next week. Some of these tasks may include instructional training in schools or places of employment, and visiting shopping centres and other public places to demonstrate CPR and other first aid techniques. Their duties can range from car- ing for elderly and disabled people in their homes to providing transport for the infirm so they can attend special occasions, which Mick says is great as "it helps them socialise and be part of their community". They are also called upon by the HSE to assist with patient care and transport. Another important role they play is providing first aid and medical services at national and local com- munity events, like road races, concerts, or major sporting events. Regarding the latter, Mick told us about an incident that occurred when he was run- ning the Dublin Half Marathon in July 2016. Another runner col- lapsed a few metres in front of him at the finish line and went into a ventricular fibrillation. Mick was the first on the scene and started CPR, and was soon joined by members of Civil Defence and Dublin Fire Brigade. Thanks to Mick and the others' quick response the man had what is termed a return of spontaneous circulation and was then moved to Beaumont Hospital where he had open- heart surgery. In his career Mick has undergone a wide range of medical training and has completed various medical courses, including EMT (emergency medical techni- cian), PALS (paediatric advance life support) and PEP (paediatric education for practitioners) courses. Mick told us that "the DF and Order of Malta have a symbiotic relationship; they both get something back". Being a member of both gives Mick the chance to up-skill and to hold on to his practitioner's licence. He also told us that the Order of Malta is very happy to have members of the DF operating with them "as we are very highly trained". Recently, Mick has been appointed as the training officer of the Palmerstown unit, and is now respon- sible for the running of courses such as CPR training and medical first responder. Mick is thankful for the opportunity to be able to give back to his community and would like to encour- age others to consider joining the Order of Malta. The Corps has people from all different backgrounds - ranging from trained professionals such as nurses, advanced paramedics and doctors, to a priest - teach- ing and learning together. The Order of Malta The Order of Malta is one of Ireland's largest and longest running voluntary organisations and has nearly 4,000 members. They run courses ranging from simple first responders all the way to EMT. Adam's Gift is an initiative supported by the Order of Malta Ireland Ambulance Corps, that aims to help people recognise cardiac arrest and to have the knowledge and training to offer lifesaving skills. If you would like to know more, please visit their website www.orderofmaltaireland.org. Sgt Barry conducting a medical exercise in UNDOF

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