In 1938, the Order of Malta established a unit in Galway to provide First Aid, Ambulance and Casualty Services in Connaught. Today the Order of Malta is a nationally based organisation organised in unit areas, and structured into nine regions. It has a fleet of over 135 vehicles and ambulances and provides first aid, ambulance and emergency care services in most of the principal cities and towns throughout the island of Ireland.
Services provided include:
Transport for people with disabilities and older people to hospitals, day care centres, church services and social functions.
Ambulance and first aid services at all major race meetings, numerous sporting events - Gaelic football, hurling, rugby and soccer – and ambulance and transport to other charitable bodies providing assistance to the elderly and people with disabilities.
Reserve Ambulance Service to the statutory services when required, drawing on its fleet of over 135 ambulances and vehicles ranging from minibuses, 4WD to full accident and emergency ambulances.
Forms part of the integrated emergency medical services – EMS - at major public events.
The Ambulance Corps is operated entirely by volunteers with the support of a small admin staff at head office. The Order of Malta does not receive any government funding to support the cost of running the organisation. Each Ambulance Corps unit raises funds locally and is self-financing.
