Order of Malta Ambulance Corps

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Order of Malta Ambulance Corps

Abbreviation	OMAC
Motto	Tuitio Fidei et Obsequium Pauperum (Latin: defence of the Faith and assistance to the poor and the suffering)
Formation	1938
Type	Charitable organisation
Headquarters	Saint John House, 32 Clyde Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4
Location	Ireland
President	Judge Peter Smithwick K.M., K.C.S.G.
Key people	Director: Commander Winnie Maye D.M.
Affiliations	Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, of Rhodes and of Malta
Website	http://www.orderofmalta.ie/

The Order of Malta Ambulance Corps (OMAC) is the largest voluntary ambulance and first aid organisation in Ireland. The Order of Malta is engaged in teaching medical first aid, providing ambulance cover at large events, patient transport, community and nursing services. Some Units of the corps are also involved with providing an emergency ambulance service such as the Tramore Unit of the corps. The ambulance corps is administered by the Order of Malta.

Contents 1 Senior Members 2 History 3 Modern Ambulance Corps 4 Ranks of the Ambulance Corps 5 Uniform 6 National Organisation 7 Regions and units 8 Flag ship unit 9 External links

[edit] Senior Members

The current National Director of the Order of Malta Ambulance Corps is Commander Winnie Maye D.M. Commander Maye was appointed to the position to replace Commander Peader Ward K.M. Dame Winnie Maye took office in January 2007.In common with all members of the Ambulance Corps, Commander Maye is a volunteer.She is assisted by a Deputy Director, two Assistant Directors, a Chief Medical Officer and a staff with responsibility for different areas of ambulance corps work.

The President of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta (Irish Assoc.) and the Ambulance Corps is Judge Peter Smithwick K.C.S.G.,K.M.

[edit] History

The first unit of the Order of Malta Ambulance Corps began in 1937, when Professor Conor O'Malley, a Galway Doctor was asked by the Marquis McSweeney, the then Chancellor of the Irish Association to recruit members to form an Ambulance Corps, aimed initially for Connaught only.

Thirteen men were recruited by Professor O'Malley: six sixth year students from St. Josephs College "the Bish", Secondary School; four members from C.Y.M.S., Galway ; two Scout Masters; and one "lay" member. These thirteen members were the founder members of the ambulance corps in Galway .

The new recruits were enrolled on a series of First Aid lectures, given by Professor O'Malley in the X-Ray Department of the Central Hospital . The bandaging was taught by Theatre Sister Mary Shaughnessy. Examinations in First Aid were held in January 1938, and all were successful. In February 1938 First Aid services were requested for a National League match in Castlebar. The duties were allocated in Alphabetical Order- "Burke" and "Coogan" were first on duty.

The first Officer in Charge of the Galway Unit was Sgt. Timothy Murphy, and a second unit was formed in 1941.

[edit] Modern Ambulance Corps

Today, the ambulance corps is a national organisation with 3,000 members involved in 77 Units across the Island of Ireland. For administration purposes, the country is divided into regions which are managed by regional directors.Each region consists of a number of units which deliver services at local level. The organisation operates over 160 ambulances, mobile accident and emergency suites, support vehicles, medical bikes and command centres.

The organisations headquarters are located in the exclusive Clyde Road area of Ballsbridge Dublin. Within the building there are modern lecture halls for training and a command and control centre to coordinate vehicles and personnel in the event of major incidents or duties.

[edit] Ranks of the Ambulance Corps

Cadet Ranks (Ages 10-16)

• Cadet
• Cadet Corporal
• Cadet Sergeant

Adult Ranks (Ages 16+)

• Volunteer
• Corporal
• Sergeant
• Adjutant
• Second Lieutenant
• First Lieutenant
• Captain
• Commandant
• Assistant Commander
• Commander
• Assistant National Director
• Deputy National Director
• National Director

Rank markings for volunteers consist of an epaulette with a Maltese Cross while members holding a rank wear an epaulette with the Maltese Cross plus rank markings on the shoulders of the uniform. Different colour epaulettes are used to denote various medical qualifications and if a member is a member of the Catholic Clergy.

• Grey for members trained in First Aid and First Responder
• Black for member of the Clergy
• Green for Emergency Medical Technician and Paramedic
• Blue for Nurse
• Red for Medical Doctor

[edit] Uniform

The Uniform most commonly worn is the working uniform (2008) which consists of:

• Dark grey jacket
• Sweater
• Official pilot shirt
• Cravat
• Cap
• Epaulette
• Plain or combat trousers depending on duty location
• Hi-Vis rain jacket depending on duty location
• Light hi-vis jacket depending on duty location
• Grey Rain Jacket and Rain trousers depending on duty location
• Safety boots or shoes
• Peacock feathers fanned at the sash
• Safety helmet depending on duty location and incident involved

Members may also wear a dress uniform on formal occasions. This consists of a military pattern tunic and trousers in grey, a white shirt and black tie and black shoes. A peaked cap is worn, the type depending on whether it is worn by an officer or other member. On certain occasions, male officers may wear a brown leather Sam Brown belt with brown leather gloves.

[edit] National Organisation

The Order of Malta Ambulance Corps aims to have at least one unit based in every county in Ireland. Under the leadership of the National Director Commander Dame Winifred Maye, the organisation has almost achieved this goal.

[edit] Regions and units

The island of Ireland is divided into nine regions, each with an appointed Regional Director who reports directly to the National Director. The Regions are:

Southern Region

Cork City Unit, Carrigaline, Killarney, Rathcormack

Mid Western

Cashel, Clonmel, Limerick, Nenagh, Shannon, Thurles

South Eastern

Carlow, Kilkenny, Tramore, Waterford, Wexford

Midland

Athy, Athlone, Birr, Mullingar, Moate, Monasterevan, Naas, Newbridge, Portlaoise, Tullamore

Western

Achill, Ballina, Ballinrobe, Carna, Castlebar, Clare Island, Connemara Theas, Galway, Inishbofin, Inish Meain, Knock, Louisburg, Mervue, Mulranny, Roscommon, Tuam, Westport

Dublin City and County

Baldoyle, Ballygall, Blackrock, Bray, Cabra, Castleknock, Clondalkin, Clonsilla, Crumlin, Drimnagh/Inchicore, Dundrum, Harolds Cross, Marino, Palmerstown, Raheny, Rathdrum, Shankill, Swords, Tallaght, Templeogue

Northern

Armagh, Ballymena, Belfast, Coalisland, Derry, Downpatrick, Dungannon, Omagh

North Eastern

Ardee, Drogheda, Dundalk, Navan, Cavan, Balbriggan

North Western

Sligo, Carrick on Shannon, Tubbecurry

[edit] Flag ship unit

The Order of Malta Ambulance Corps flag ship unit based in Tramore in Co Waterford carry out 999 calls along side the HSE ambulance service. According to the old website they average 350 - 400 calls a year which range from Cardiac Arrests to RTA and tranfers from Doctors Surgeries

[edit] External links

• Order of Malta Ambulance Corps - official website