Civil Defence volunteers compete in national firefighting finals in County Wicklow.
A national volunteer organisation, Civil Defence supports frontline emergency services and supports local communities.
The all Ireland final of the Auxiliary Fire Service Competitions were held in Bray. Several locations in the vicinity of the town were used as sites for emergency scenarios.
In the Glen of the Downs Civil Defence volunteers test their skills. Presented with the challenge of putting out a house fire in an isolated location, they must source water from a nearby stream.
This challenge is ultimately about extinguishing a fire, but chief adjudicator John Creed assesses the technique used.
While firefighting training is of benefit to the general public, what is the role of the Civil Defence in a national emergency, such as a nuclear war?
A Civil Defence commandant explains, the organisation has a designated senior unit which is trained to
Monitor and report on a nuclear fallout situation.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 25 May 1981. The reporter is Peter McNiff.
