Emergency services to light up Swinford for Blue Light Day

The emergency services will light up Swinford on Saturday, March 2 with the community invited to Blue Light Day between 10am and 2pm.

Blue Light Day is an opportunity for young and old to get a front seat view of the front-line crews when officers from An Garda Síochána and Mayo Fire Service will be joined by representatives from the Coast Guard, Civil Defence, Defence Forces and others at Swinford Amenity Park.

The Garda Mounted Support Unit, Armed Support Unit, Roads Policing Unit will be out in force with the Garda Band also in attendance to entertain the crowd.

From 10am to 2pm families are invited to meet the crews and the children can check out the emergency vehicles and ask the tough questions – who knows the district’s next Superintendent or Chief Fire Officer may be among the attendees.

Sergeants Conor Drury and Regina Carley, Community Engagement Sergeants based at Swinford Garda Station, invited the 'entire community to come along and meet the emergency crews'.

“Unfortunately, it’s often only at difficult times in people’s lives that we get to meet them but Blue Light Day is an opportunity for all of the community, particularly the children, to get to know their local officers and in a fun setting we get to give them an insight into the roles we all play in the community,” they stated.

The first hour 10am to 11am of the day will be a silent hour to facilitate children with special needs and sensory needs.

For one little hero it will be a particularly special day. James Ryan from Ardgullen, Swinford will be awarded the title of Honorary Garda. The force’s newest recruit will be joined by his family and friends for the momentous occasion.

Sgt Drury praised the four-year-old for his courage, determination and said he is proud to have him as a member of his team.

“It is a particularly exciting day for the Ryan family. I was honoured to meet James recently and welcome him to the team here in Swinford and the blue family.”

The event is being run in conjunction with the Little Blue Heroes Foundation. The organisation’s vision is to support families of children with serious illnesses in Ireland while empowering the lives of children through positive engagement.