PRIOR TO the procurement of its own permanent premises on Saint John's Drive, the Order of Malta was dependent on the goodwill of the Wexford CBS and other organisations for temporary accommodation for its survival.

Founded in 1939, the Wexford branch of the organisation had followed a nomadic lifestyle. One year ago, their new and permanent home opened following successful discussion with Solicitor James O'Connor for the purchase of the property. Through the initial foresight of Doctor Tom Walsh, Murt Joyce, Tom Hassett, Philip Scallan, Kevin Kehoe, Jim Murphy, and Tom McGuiness the Wexford branch of the Order of Malta was formed.

Officer in Charge Lieutenant Deirdre Kent grew up seeing the uniform of the organisation. "My father Jim being one of the founders passed on his love of helping others to me. I joined when I was eleven years old and the work of the order is now my life."

"As an organisation we are here to assist the community when they need an ambulance service on site for events. We are totally self sufficient receiving no grant aid from the Govt, the HSE or any other body."

"Through our own fundraising events and through the fees we receive when attending venues, we have purchased our new premises, the ambulances we have as well as all of our equipment with all members of the Order providing their time freely as volunteers," Deirdre explains.

The thirty or so members of the Wexford Order of Malta personally pay for nothing, not uniforms, why should they when they give their time. The Order pays for the uniforms, their training, and even their meals when on duty.

Training is ongoing with a multitude of exams to be taken to qualify as a first responder, or a paramedic etc.

Lieutenant David O'Grady is second in command in Wexford. "We currently have six vehicles; four were purchased as shells and were converted as fully equipped ambulances. Two of our ambulances were purchased at the end of their term as HSE vehicles."

"All of our vehicles have to pass DOE and HGV testing every year. These tests are very stringent requiring that they are kept in top mechanical roadworthiness at all times. Each vehicle contains state of the art lifesaving equipment including a defibrillator in each."

"We are always open to new members within our ranks. For those sixteen and above we meet here in our premises each Monday night.

For our younger members the ten to sixteen year olds, we operate the Cadets on Tuesday nights. All new members carry out a first aid course and then progress to the National Register of achievements," David continues. Many members of the Wexford unit have gone on to follow a medical career. Members of the Wexford Order of Malta are trained to deal with all traumatic incidents, even to cope with death. Professional counselling is provided if and when necessary.

"Our ultimate role is to save lives and to deliver those injured to hospital where they will receive further professional treatment. We travel to Lourdes each May with the diocesan pilgrimage as well as being on duty at national and local events providing emergency medical response as and when needed," Deirdre concludes.

If interested in joining, or finding out more about the work of the Order of Malta in Wexford, call to their premises at the top of Saint John's Drive on any Monday night.