Launch of the Emergency Services and Military Expo 2026 Dublin
- Out Of The Blue Training Team
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
Launching the Emergency Services & Military Expo 2026 – and a special t-shirt giveaway
We are delighted to open registration for the Emergency Services & Military Expo 2026, taking place in the RDS, Dublin, on Thursday 19 March 2026, 10 am – 4 pm.
This is your invitation to take one day out, step away from the shift pattern and the rota, and focus on you – your career, your wellbeing and your future, whether that future is within your current service or beyond it.
And to mark the launch, we have a small thank-you:the first ten people to register will receive a free “Thank You For Your Service” t-shirt, posted anywhere in Ireland.
A day designed for those who serve
The Emergency Services & Military Expo brings together:
serving and former members of An Garda Síochána
the Defence Forces and Reserve
Fire and Emergency Services
the Prison Service
Coast Guard
ambulance and medical services
and the organisations that support them.
If you wear, or have worn, a uniform in any of these services, this day is for you.
Our aim is simple: to create a space where you can explore what comes next – on your own terms. For some, that means planning for promotion or a new specialist role. For others, it means preparing for retirement, or looking at opportunities in the wider public sector or private industry. Many are somewhere in between, simply wanting to understand their options.
Whatever category you fall into, you are welcome.
Your next chapter – in or out of service
At Out Of The Blue Training & Employment Services, we know that “career planning” can sound like something you only do when you are leaving. In reality, the most confident transitions – whether inside or outside service – are usually the ones that are planned early.
That is why the 2026 Expo will offer support for:
Progression within your current servicePromotion pathways, leadership roles, specialist units and secondments can all benefit from clear CVs, strong interview skills and a sense of direction.
Exploring life beyond the uniformIf you are curious about what your skills might look like in another sector, you will be able to speak to recruiters and employers who understand frontline experience.
Long-term planning and securityPensions, savings, income protection and financial wellbeing are all key themes. Good decisions now can give you more freedom later on.
Personal wellbeing and resilienceYou will also find supports around stress, burnout, mindset and overall health – because how you are doing personally is just as important as any career decision.
Whether you are five years into service, five years from retirement or already adjusting to a new chapter, the Expo is designed to meet you where you are.
What to expect at the Dublin 2026 Emergency Services and Military Expo
On the day you will find:
Talks and panel discussions with service-aware experts, coaches and former members who have already made changes in their own careers.
One-to-one coaching and CV clinics, where you can get tailored feedback on interview answers, applications and LinkedIn profiles.
Recruitment and career stands from organisations actively looking for people with frontline skills and experience.
Upskilling and training providers, offering courses from short certificates to longer professional programmes.
Financial and wellbeing advice, including pensions, mortgages, savings and supports for managing pressure and change.
Peer conversations – perhaps the most valuable part of the day – with people from other services who understand the realities you face.
New for 2026, we will also have a Tech & Equipment area, showcasing tools and technology that support you both in service and in civilian roles.
Entry is completely free, and you are welcome to drop in for part of the day or stay for the full programme.
The t-shirt: a small thank-you
You may have spotted the design in our social media posts. The front of the t-shirt brings together helmets and caps from across Ireland’s emergency services and military, forming the shape of a heart. It is a simple reminder that behind every uniform is a person with a family, a story and a future.
On the back, the message is clear:
“Thank You For Your Service.”
To celebrate the launch of the 2026 Expo, we are giving a free t-shirt to the first ten people who register for the event.
Sizes available: L, XL and XXL
Free postage to anywhere in Ireland
One t-shirt per person
To be in with a chance, simply select the “General Admission & Free T-Shirt” option when you register. Once those ten tickets are gone, they are gone – but our standard free Expo tickets will remain open.
How to register
Registration is now live on Eventbrite.
You can:
follow the link from our website or social media pages.
Tickets are free, but we do ask that you register in advance so we can plan the day properly and make sure there is enough capacity for talks and one-to-one sessions.