Draft Annual Report 2009 - Royal Life Saving Society Ireland

IntroductionEvery year approximately 150 people drown in Ireland. Since 1904 the Royal Life SavingSociety has reduced the rate of drownings in Ireland by training lifeguards for thenation’s pools and beaches and by educating the general public in rescue andresuscitation skills. Certainly the number of drownings has decreased since the beginningof the last century, but we cannot become complacent.Unlike other concerns and illnesses of modern society, there is no “cure” for drowning.Each generation must learn the skills needed to recognize the dangers of water, to learnsafety advice and to learn how to help those in difficulty in the water or those sufferingcardiac arrest on land. Providing people with the skills they need is the core business ofthe Royal Lifesaving Society (RLSS) Ireland branch, and our lifesaving programmes aretailored to meet the requirements of diverse groups.Branch Management CommitteeIn supporting the roll out of the RLSS Ireland programmes, the Branch ManagementCommittee (officers elected from within the Branch by the Branch and for the Branch)administer the day to day running of the Branch.The Management Committee of the Branch is made up of the following members: President - Edward Duffy Competitions Secretary - Sheila Honorary Secretary - OliviaMulhairMurphy Equipment Officer - vacant Honorary Treasurer - Paul Ryan Lifesaving Coordinator - Michael Area Organizer Coordinator –ComiskeyMichael Comiskey Membership Secretary – Joe Awards & Sales Officer - MarkBerrillFagan Outreach Officer – Peter Beach Lifeguard Coordinator –ScarboroughDavid Browne Pool Lifeguard Coordinator – Branch Welfare Officer - OliviaDavid BrowneMurphy Public Relations Officer – vacantBranch Management Committee 2009 pictured with Pam Smith and Stuart Bailey at the 2008AGM3 3

The roles and responsibilities of each of the officers are as follows: -President - chairs the meetings of the Branch Management Committee and takesdecisions whenever the need arises, in consultation with the other officers of the BranchHonorary Secretary - looks after the day-to-day administration of the Branch, whichincludes receipt of, and response to correspondence received, taking and dissemination ofminutes for meetings, filing and maintenance of Branch recordsHonorary Treasurer - looks after the finances of the BranchArea Organizer Coordinator – is the contact between the Area Organisers and theBranch membersAwards & Sales Officer - records awards for the Branch, controls and monitors thestock and sales of the Branch in relation to awardsBeach Lifeguard Coordinator - introduces Beach Lifeguard units where none exist, andwhere they do exist, increase their numbersBranch Welfare Officer - reports to the committee on child protection mattersCompetitions Secretary - stimulates interest in the competitive field of lifesaving byorganizing ad publicizing competitionsEquipment Officer – maintains the log of Branch equipment, carries out repairs and / orreplaces equipment as requiredLifesaving Coordinator - promotes the delivery of training and assessing modules forthe Branch for trainers, assessors and advisers within the BranchMembership Secretary – maintains the membership of the Branch by ensuring currentmembers renew annually and by attracting new members to become involved in the workof the BranchOutreach Officer – coordinates the delivery of the outreach programmes of the RoyalLifesaving Society (e.g. Save a Baby’s Life)Pool Lifeguard Coordinator - introduces Pool Lifeguard units where none exist, andwhere they do exist, increase their numbersPublic Relations Officer - initiates and implements communications with the membersof the Branch and the general publicThe Branch Management Committee meets once every four to six weeks to formulateand develop policies to support the delivery of lifesaving programmes nationwide in theCarmichael Centre for Voluntary Groups, North Brunswick Street, Dublin 7.4 4

Full details of competition results can be found in Appendix 1.Equipment Officer - vacantWhile there is no current Equipment Officer for the branch, equipment held by the branchfor use at competition and available for usage by new clubs is as follows: -2 Rescue Manikins – orangesinkers5 throwing ropes - competition1 overhead projector1 typewriter, electric (recycled)4 flags, 4 poles, stand for flagsplus case2 Resusci Babies1 display backdrop plus case2 pull-up banners plus case9 wetsuits3 Resusci-Anne torsos - hardcases4 shieldsTo contact the Equipment officer, email equipment@rlssireland.com.Lifesaving Coordinator – Michael ComiskeyIf you would like to contact the Lifesaving Coordinator, feel free to do so atlifesaving@rlssireland.com.Membership Secretary – Joseph BerrillTo contact the Membership Secretary, email membership@rlssireland.com.Outreach Officer – Peter ScarboroughIf you would like to contact the Outreach Officer. Email outreach@rlssireland.com.Pool Lifeguard Coordinator – David BrowneThe year just passed has been yet another successful one for the Society in terms oflifeguard training. Demand for the National Pool Lifeguard Qualification continues toexceed expectations, with increased numbers taking the qualification nationwide. Thenumber of successful candidates was up around 25% on last year, which is a tremendousachievement when one considers the difficult times the economy is in. Demand for theEmergency Response Certificate has remained robust also.In order to support the industry in delivering lifeguard training and associatedprogrammes, ten Trainer-Assessor courses were run during 2009 covering all the majordisciplines. Such was the widespread demand for the Society’s programmes that courseswere required in Ulster, Munster, Leinster and Connacht.In order to support leisure centres with their ongoing training and competencyassessment, a free management computer program was supplied to Approved TrainingCentre sites during 2009. This too, another unique benefit of being an Approved TrainingCentre, will help managers to organize staff training and competency assessments inaccordance with requirements. Centres can also advertise their lifeguard and lifesaving1 10

courses free of charge on the “Lifesavers” website.Finally may I extend a heartfelt “Thank You” to all those who ran lifeguard trainingcourses, assessed lifeguards or in any way contributed to the continuing success of theRLSS lifeguard training programme during 2009.To contact the Pool Lifeguard Coordinator, email poollg@rlssireland.com.Public Relations Report - vacantDuring the course of our branch management committee meetings throughout the year,the committee has explored a variety of ways in which savings can be made on behalf ofthe branch. Among the suggestions made was that of an ezine.Clubs and trainer assessors have been contacted seeking their agreement to add them toan email distribution list so that the branch can send out ezines and information. To date,13 clubs have signed up to the distribution list, and 35 trainer assessors have donelikewise. For those who are not yet signed up but would like to be added to thedistribution lists, please contact pro@rlssireland.com with your email address andwhether you are registering as a trainer assessor or as a club, and you will be added to thelists.Some work has also been carried out on the website. New pages have been added and oldpages have been updated. Annual reports and ezines can be downloaded from thepublications section, along with information on child protection. If you would like tocomment on any aspect of the branch activities or have information posted on the websiteplease contact pro@rlssireland.com.1 11

Club reportsMonkstown – Brendan Donohue2009 was another busy and successful year for the class. Progress was made in all areasof activity. Membership in all categories is ahead of last year's levels. The primary focusof the class is to develop the lifesaving skills and abilities of the members, with juniormembers the focus is on the Rookie scheme and the senor classes progress through theLife Saving 123 awards onto the senior lifesaving awards. The open water lifesavingprogram was also successfully undertaken again this year. It was expanded to includeBeach Lifeguarding and a number of members achieved the Beach Lifeguard Award.The quality of lifesaving standards are based on the quality of teaching which themembers receive. A policy of teacher rotation is in place which ensures freshness inteachers’ performance by varying the classes being taught and it is used to ensure thatpersonal lifesaving skills and awards are kept up to date. The body of teachers wasincreased by the club organising a T/A course. This has resulted in 8 probationary T/Ascurrently being mentored. Co-operation with our colleagues in Trojan Lifesaving Clubwas possible in running the course and they also have 3 members being mentored as well.The club has ventured into a new area that of Public Relations to improve its publicprofile through co-operation with Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Sports Partnership and thecouncil’s Community Involvement Schemes. Participation with the Sports Partnershipgave the opportunity to share organisational skills, methods and resources with others.Through this, the club has participated in meetings and workshops. Each year thecommunity scheme hosts a workshop which enables community groups to display theiractivities, work and to network together. Again participation has benefited the club’sprofile.The club organised its annual junior lifesaving competition before primary schoolholidays with a view to ensure that members had the appropriate skills to deal with anincident should the be exposed to such a situation during holidays. Senior members actedas casualties for the Regional lifesaving championship and for the ACPO championships,which were held in Dublin. This provided them with a new and exciting perspective oncompetitions.I want to thank the staff of the Monkstown Sports and Leisure Centre, Dun LaoghaireRathdown Sports Partnership, the teachers and staff of the club. Particularly I want tothank Patricia and Martin for their work during the year.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The Branch Management Committee would like to thank you, our members, for allyour support throughout 2009.1 12

Annual Trophies 2009(not available at time of printing)The Branch Management Committee awards a variety of trophies to clubs on an annualbasis. These trophies recognize the input from clubs in delivering our programmes to ourmembers and the general public.The Neville Ferguson Trophy is awarded to a club for the highest number of lifesavingawards completed. For 2009, this trophy is awarded to _________________________with _______ awards completed.The Thomas Duffy Memorial Shield is awarded to a club for the highest percentageincrease in points over the previous year (minimum 40 in the previous year. For 2009,this shield is awarded to _________________________ with a _______ increase.The Smurfit Ireland Resuscitation Trophy is awarded to a club for the highest number ofresuscitation points. For 2009, this trophy is awarded to _________________________with _______ resuscitation points.The John McKenna Trophy is awarded to a club for the highest number of BronzeMedallion awards completed. For 2009, this trophy is awarded to_________________________ with _______ Bronze Medallion awards completed.The Ken McCullogh Trophy is awarded to a club for the highest percentage increase inBronze Medallions over the previous year (minimum 4 in the previous year). For 2009,this trophy is awarded to _________________________ with a _______ increase.The Awards Table for 2009 can be found in Appendix 2 (not available at time of going toprint).------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The Branch Management Committee would like to congratulate the winning clubson their awards1 13

Honours 2009Each year, honours are awarded to members of our Branch for services rendered to theSociety. Honours awarded for 2009 include: -Branch HonoursHonorary UK Life Member – awarded to those individuals with at least 35 years service:John ConnollyService HonoursHonours within this category are awarded after continuous years of service and can beawarded to individual members, members of affiliated clubs / organizations, andapproved training centres in membership, for significant contribution to the work of thesociety.Certificate of thanks – can be awarded twice, either after at least four and eight years ofcontinuous service Gillian Caulfield Martin McDevitt Martin Corcoran Grace Meade Fiona Crean Laura Mulhair Niall Gamble Eamonn O’Brien Karen Hughes Ken O’Connor Ann Kavanagh Jerome Perrot Jim Kelly Brendan Quinn Martin Lacey Deirdre Sharpe John McCarthy Michael WallService Medal – awarded to those with at least 12 years continuous service Liam Hutchinson Anne O’HalloranBar to the Service Medal – awarded to those with at least 16 years continuous service:John Farrell1 st Bar to Service Cross – awarded to those with at least 25 years continuous service:Charlie HoeyMerit HonoursMerit Honours can be awarded to individual members, members of affiliated clubs /organisations and approved training centres in membership, for meritorious contributionto the society.Certificate of Merit – for contribution at Club or Branch level: Siobhan EganThe Branch Management Committee would like to congratulate the awardees on theirhonours. The Branch Management Committee would also like to take this opportunity tocongratulate Brendan Donohoe on receiving life membership to the RLSSCommonwealth for services to Lifesaving.1 14

Appendix 1 – Competition Results 2009Branch Heat - Belvedere College: 25 th April 2009Junior GirlsJunior Boys:1 st Saoirse Baker & Laura Hayes 1 st Cillian Heeney & Eoghan Heeney2 nd Aisling Kelly & Michelle Butler 2 nd Ciarán Heeney & Sam Holohan3 rd Alannah Drumm & Rebecca WynneWalsh 3 rd Fiachra Ó Nualláin & Luka WalshSenior Girls:Senior Boys:1 st Orna Sharpe & Jessica Mulfaul 1 st Damien Butler & Jonathan Butler2 nd Shona Baker & Eimear Potter 2 nd Niall Clarke & Raymond Lynch3 rd Roberta GaspariMcGuirk & Nicola PikePotter 3 rd Michael Corcoran & Barry MaguireIndividual Ladies:Individual Men:1 st Ciara Mulhair 1 st Kevin Mulhair2 nd Rachael Biddulph 2 nd Cillian Spain3 rd Laura Mulhair 3 rd Ciaran MileyRegional Heat – Belvedere College: 19 th September 2009Junior GirlsJunior Boys:1 st Saoirse Baker & Laura Hayes 1 st Ciarán Heeney & Sam Holohan2 nd Aisling Kelly & Michelle Butler 2 nd Fiachra Ó Nualláin & Luka Walsh3 rd Nuala Bogue & Megan Mc Gibbon 3 rd Cillian Heeney & Eoghan HeeneySenior Girls:Senior Boys:1 st Orna Sharpe & Jessica Mulfaul 1 st Niall Clarke & Raymond Lynch2 nd Shona Baker & Eimear Potter 2 nd Damien Butler & Ronan Spain3 rd Tuathlaith Murtagh & Leah Kinney 3 rd Ruairí Barr & Patrick ShortIndividual Ladies: Individual Men: Masters:1 st Laura Mulhair 1 st Cillian Spain 1 st David Browne2 nd Ciara Mulhair 2 nd Kevin Mulhair 2 nd Gillian Caulfield3 rd Sarah Tarpey 3 rd Adam Byrne 3 rd Paddy KellyNational Life Saving Championships – 31 st October 2009: Overall Team WinnersJunior GirlsJunior Boys2 nd Saoirse Baker & Laura Hayes 2 nd Fiachra Ó Nualláin & Luka WalshSenior BoysLadies Individual1 st Niall Clarke& Raymond Lynch 2 nd Ciara MulhairMen’s IndividualFastest Swim in Snr. Girls3 rd Kevin Mulhair Orna SharpeGold in Line Throw & Swim & Tow – Ciaran Heeney & Sam HolohanTEAM IRELAND 13 Gold, 5 Silver, 1 Bronze Medal & Overall WinnersNATIONAL SPEEDS CHAMPIONSHIPS – Ponds Forge 28 th February and 1 st March 2009Dist. Event M/F Age Name Place100m Obstacle Swim M 12-14 Andrew Hynes 3 rd50m Manikin Carry M 12-14 Andrew Hynes 3 rd50m Manikin Carry M Mast. Paddy Kelly 3 rd100m Man. Carry (fins) M 12-14 Andrew Hynes 3 rdThe Branch Management Committee would like to congratulate TeamIreland on their successes at the National Championships1 15