The Coast Guard are a valued and important resource, particularly here in West Cork and I am concerned that the recent ban on Coast Guard vehicles using blue lights and sirens will seriously hamper response time and put lives at risk if a volunteer is trying to make their way to an emergency situation and is stuck in traffic.
The Coast Guard directive states that staff and volunteers are now banned from using blue lights and sirens when making their way to emergency incidents and are only permitted to use blue lights when the vehicle is stationary.
The priority now should be to ensure that all volunteers and full-time staff are trained to the highest level as a matter of urgency.