The Organisation of ICRO
The Irish Cave Rescue Organisation is a voluntary organisation made up of active cavers throughout Ireland. It is run by an elected committee and can be called upon in the event of accidents in caves. It has rescue equipment stores at four locations in Ireland. ICRO was accepted as a full member of ECRA at the ECRA General Assembly meeting in September 2025
ICRO has the following organisational structure:
The Core Team
The Core team consists of ~50 active cavers in Ireland who will assist in rescues and who train regularly together in cave rescue techniques. The Core team includes specialist skills in rescue rigging, first aid, remote casualty care, communications, digging, shoring & rock breaking techniques.
Rescue Wardens
There are ~15 Cave Rescue Wardens. These are experienced cavers familiar with cave rescue techniques and procedures. They have detailed knowledge of the caves in their area and are readily contactable by phone. At the request of the Gardai (AGS) or the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), Wardens take responsibility for the control of call-outs and the management of rescues.They assist in training of the Core team and the management of rescue stores. In addition ICRO has ~10 Reserve Wardens who are no longer active as wardens but who have specific knowledge and experience which can be requested if required.
General Members
ICRO holds contact details for 100+ general members who can be called upon in the event of an extended cave rescues which require additional personnel.
Liaison with other bodies
ICRO liaises and trains regularly with a number of other Cave & Mountain Rescue teams and other Search and Rescue bodies in Ireland, Britain, Europe & Worldwide.
Republic of Ireland
ICRO has representatives on the National SAR Group reporting to the National Search & Rescue Comittee (NSARC) which is run by the Department of the Transport (DoT). NSARC co-ordinates those bodies involved in search and rescue in the Republic of Ireland. In addition the DoT provides a substantial grant towards training and rescue equipment held in ICRO stores in Clare, Dublin and Cork.
Northern Ireland
ICRO has representatives on the Northern Ireland Search and Rescue (NISAR) which serves a similar purpose to the NSARC. ICRO and NWMRT (North West Mountain Rescue Team) share a base in Florence Court near Enniskillen on County Fermanagh where ICRO maintains its own store.
Contacts
E-mail: secretary@icro.ie
Web: www.caving.ie/icro
SOCIAL NETWORKS:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Irish.Cave.Rescue.Organisation/