The Malta Red Cross – First Malta Branch is calling for volunteers to join its Disaster Response Team, which is trained to assist the Civil Protection Department and the health authorities in emergency situations, and to be part of first aid teams during events.

Persons joining the Disaster Response Team will be given all the necessary training, including basic and advanced first aid.

The branch is organising an emergency response foundation course which will prepare participants to deal with emergency situations. The first session will be held at Boffa Hospital on January 26 at 2pm. Other sessions will be held in various localities including Delimara, Zurrieq and Hal-Far. The course will consist of both theoretical and practical sessions in basic first aid, fire fighting as well as ladder and rope techniques.

The course fee is €which will be refunded to participants who give 40 hours of voluntary service with the Branch during 2008.

The course is open to both the public and prospective volunteers. Those wanting more information should send an email to [email protected].