THE Banna Rescue team, demonstrated their new the Argo Aurora Responder, the first in the country, on Sunday.

The Argo is an amphibious all-terrain vehicle (AATV) used by top-tier rescue teams worldwide. The purchase of the Argo was supported by the Department of Rural and Community Development through the CLÁR Programme, Kerry Group’s Community Fund and local donations.

The Argo provides a versatile solution for casualty extrication/treatment, missing persons searches, equipment transportation, and will undoubtedly lead to a swifter and more effective emergency response.

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Chris Tyler, Irish distributor for Argo, said; “The Argo Aurora Responder delivers hope in challenging and remote locations. It’s versatility and reliability allows it to cover terrain that other vehicles cannot. We are delighted to be partnering with the award winning volunteer emergency team at Banna. It has been a long collaborative effort.”

The Argo can carry four emergency personnel to a scene quickly and rapidly deploy an integrated stretcher system for casualty treatment.

The Argo’s amphibious capability will allow the team to traverse the 10 km stretch of beach from Ballyheigue to Barrow, crossing the inlets at Akeragh and Poulgorm, and would have been the ideal response to a recent callout Banna Rescue had on Barrow Beach.

The Argo is patrolling the shore-line in what has already been a very busy summer.

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