54.1149° N · 9.1551° W — Ballina, Co. Mayo
Together, we build safer communities and stronger responses.
Every emergency reminds us how important preparation, awareness, and community cooperation can be.
IRELAND SEARCH AND RESCUE is centered on building safer communities through emergency preparedness, public awareness, search and rescue education, and responsible community involvement.
Welcome
Welcome to Ireland Search and Rescue
We believe that safer communities begin with awareness, preparation, cooperation, and a shared responsibility to help others.
Emergencies can affect individuals, families, and entire communities. Access to reliable information, an understanding of safety procedures, and awareness of appropriate emergency resources are important elements of community resilience.
Our focus is on promoting search and rescue awareness, encouraging emergency preparedness, supporting community education, and exploring responsible opportunities for cooperation. Every person deserves dignity, respect, and appropriate assistance when facing challenging circumstances.
Our Mission
Education, preparation and community involvement.
The mission of IRELAND SEARCH AND RESCUE is to promote community safety, emergency preparedness, public awareness, and responsible cooperation in support of people who may face emergency situations.
- 01Promoting public awareness of search and rescue activities.
- 02Encouraging emergency preparedness.
- 03Supporting community safety education.
- 04Promoting awareness of outdoor and environmental risks.
- 05Encouraging responsible volunteer participation.
- 06Supporting knowledge sharing and training awareness.
- 07Promoting cooperation with relevant community organizations.
- 08Encouraging first aid and emergency response awareness.
- 09Supporting vulnerable individuals through appropriate community initiatives.
- 10Promoting a culture of compassion, responsibility, and mutual assistance.
Programs & Activities
Ten areas of focus
- 01Emergency Preparedness AwarenessHelping households and communities plan ahead for storms, outages and the unexpected.
- 02Search and Rescue AwarenessExplaining how search and rescue works in Ireland and how the public can help responsibly.
- 03Outdoor and Wilderness SafetyHill, bog, forest and trail safety for walkers, hikers and families.
- 04Volunteer Awareness and DevelopmentWhat responsible community volunteering looks like, and how to begin.
- 05First Aid and Emergency EducationRecognizing an emergency, calling for help and knowing where to get proper training.
- 06Community Safety EducationEveryday safety at home and in the community, for every age.
- 07Missing Person AwarenessReporting correctly, sharing information responsibly and respecting families.
- 08Coastal and Water Safety AwarenessTides, cliffs, rivers and lakes: respecting Ireland's waters.
- 09Community Resilience and SupportStrengthening the local networks that hold communities together in hard times.
- 10Cooperation and PartnershipsWorking constructively with groups that share a commitment to community safety.
Program pages describe our focus areas and planned activities. They are not confirmed operational rescue services.
Our guiding principles
Why Ireland Search and Rescue?
Community safety requires more than individual effort. It requires awareness, cooperation, preparation, and a commitment to responsible action.
01
A Community-Centered Approach
We recognize that community awareness and cooperation are essential to improving public preparedness.
02
Commitment to Preparedness
We encourage individuals and families to understand the importance of planning for unexpected situations.
03
Responsible Public Education
We value accurate, practical, and accessible safety information.
04
Respect for Professional Emergency Services
We recognize the essential role of authorized emergency services and respect their responsibilities and procedures.
05
Volunteer Awareness
We believe that responsible community involvement can make a positive contribution to society.
06
Transparency and Integrity
We value honest communication and accurate representation of organizational activities.
07
Humanitarian Values
We believe that people facing emergencies deserve dignity, compassion, and appropriate support.
Our Vision
An Ireland that is informed, prepared and connected.
Our vision is an Ireland where communities are better informed, prepared, connected, and capable of responding responsibly to challenging situations, and where people understand how to reach professional emergency services when they need them.
The Irish Coast Guard is a State service. Its photograph appears here for awareness purposes and does not indicate that we own or operate rescue aircraft.
About usSafety notes
All news →Outdoor Safety · 2 November 2026
Winter walking: plan before you go
Short days and fast-changing weather make planning more important than ever between November and March.
Coastal & Water Safety · 14 October 2026
Cold water shock: what everyone should know
Irish waters are cold enough year-round to cause cold water shock. Knowing how to respond can save a life.
Missing Person Awareness · 22 September 2026
Sharing missing person appeals responsibly
Social media can help bring someone home. It can also spread rumours that hurt families. A few simple habits make the difference.