Electric Picnic - 2011
Written By Oliver Allen RGN
This year the St. John Ambulance was chosen as one of the main First Aid providers for the Electric Picnic Music Festival in Stradbally, Co. Laois. Members of the St. John Ambulance provided First Aid cover to concert goers inside the grounds with our colleagues from the Order of Malta providing cover in the campsites.
The Stradbally festival, which has often been referred to as Ireland’s version of Glastonbury, has been taking place since 2004 and has attracted some world class music artists over the years. The St. John Ambulance has been the premier First Aid provider at both large and small events in Ireland since its formation and has provided medical cover at both indoor and outdoor concerts for many years.
St. John Ambulance Operation’s Officer John McGrath co-ordinated First Aid cover for the event which attracted up to approximately 35,000 concerts goers a day. Sixty members of the St. John Ambulance provided cover each day, staffing three medical centres, a medical buggy unit, several patrols, a control room and 7 ambulances. Our volunteers ranged from First Aiders to Advanced Paramedics and Nurses and were on hand to ensure a safe environment for members of the public should they become unwell.
Over the three days our unpaid volunteers treated nearly six-hundred members of the public for various expected and unexpected injuries. By providing this efficient medical care on site meant that patients received the care they needed at the event, preventing additional pressures on the local emergency departments.
Mr. Seamus Power who was the Medical Director for POD Promotions said "the St. John Ambulance and the Order of Malta treated over 1000 patients over the three days, and where necessary, moved unstable patients to the hospital tent for further treatment. It is true to say that these people, who give their time for free, are worth their weight in gold. Aside from the help and assistance that they give to the sick and injured, the net result of what they do, takes a huge amount of pressure and expense off the local statutory ambulance service and the local Emergency Department. A heartfelt thanks and well done to all".
Providing first aid at large events such as concerts is critical to making the vision of the St. John Ambulance a reality; that everyone should have immediate access to first aid no matter where they are or what they are doing at the onset of illness or injury. To this end, our unpaid volunteers provide first aid at hundreds of events throughout Ireland every year, and we have trained thousands of members of the public to render first aid. We have been at the service of the people of Ireland for over 100 years.
If you are interested in volunteering, or you are an event organiser and would like to arrange first aid cover, please contact us. |
