Laois Civil-Defence

08/10/2026

05/10/2026

Last weekend we had two ambulance crews supporting Order of Malta Ireland Ambulance Corps - Portlaoise unit with the Laois Forestry Rally on the Slieve Blooms while tonight at our weekly training session some of our responders and practitioners undertook CPD training on medical emergencies.

Over the coming weeks we will be launching a recruitment campaign for our next volunteer intake in January. If you are interested in joining please keep an eye on our social media channels for more information.

28/09/2026

Tonight, members of our team were out on the Slieve Bloom Mountains putting their skills to the test in a practical training exercise. ​This session focused on several core disciplines including:

● ​Map reading and navigation across night terrain.

● ​Route familiarisation: Building crucial ground knowledge of local trails and key access routes.

● ​Search techniques & radio communications: Practicing search tactics and team coordination in low-visibility conditions.

​Exercises like this ensure our volunteers remain response-ready, familiar with local terrain and familiar with key operational skills.

05/09/2026

All of us at Laois Civil Defence are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Commander Jim Byrne from Athy this morning.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to Jim’s family, friends and all our colleagues in Kildare Civil Defence during this difficult time. Jim was a great support and friend to many of our members over the years.

30 years of dedicated service to his community is an incredible legacy.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam

06/06/2026

On Friday afternoon we received a request to assist locating a hiker who had been lost for a number of hours on the Slieve Blooms. Two of our search teams responded to the call and managed to locate the missing person safe and well.

On Saturday several of our volunteers took part in a national radiation monitoring training exercise for the Environmental Protection Agency.

25/05/2026

Today our volunteers provided medical cover for day 29 of The FTD Brothers Foundation Irish Marathon.

The FTD Brothers Foundation are running a marathon in every county in Ireland to raise awareness and fundraising for Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) research.

Thanks to everyone who came out to cheer them on or run alongside them on their 29th run today.

Portlaoise A.C.
An Garda Síochána Laois/Offaly
The FTD Brothers Foundation

19/05/2026

Last week we welcomed An Garda Síochána Laois/Offaly and Laois Domestic Abuse Service for a domestic violence awareness workshop at our HQ. Several of our volunteers also supported events to support this years Go Purple Day to raise domestic abuse awareness.

Members of our boat crew also completed personal survival techniques training in Portlaoise and Castletown along with volunteers from Kilkenny, Carlow, Kildare and Tipperary.

15/05/2026

09/05/2026

A big thanks to volunteers who provided medical cover for the Darkness Into Light walks in Portlaoise and Durrow in aid of Pieta. Ending Su***de. Beginning Hope

Darkness Into Light Portlaoise
Durrow Darkness into Light