Decrease in number of fires in Clare

THERE has been a marked decrease in the number of fire incidents around the county in the first eight months of this year, according to the latest figures released by the Clare County Fire and Rescue Service.

 

 

The service was called out to 725 fire incidents in Clare between January and August, a decrease of almost 14% on figures for the same period in 2008.
The number of call-outs to road traffic incidents continued to fall, decreasing from 148 to 139. The intense rainfall of recent months led to a 25% drop in the number of forest, grass and bog fire incidents. The number of malicious false alarms dropped from 38 to 35 while good intent false alarms increased from 65 to 69. Chimney fire cases, meanwhile, rose by 13% from 129 to 146.
The number of call-outs handled by Clare County Fire and Rescue Service dropped at each of its seven fire stations in the first eight months of the year; Ennis (-7%), Shannon (-32%), Ennistymon (-10%), Scariff (-26%), Killaloe (-36%), Kilrush (-7%) and Kilkee (-33%).
The release of the statistics coincides with the launch of National Fire Safety Week 2009, which runs from Monday until October 12. Clare County Fire and Rescue Service will take part by hosting a series of local prevention activities to heighten fire safety awareness. The theme of this year’s safety campaign is “Working Smoke Alarms Save Lives”.
“The decrease in the number of call-outs to fire incidents is especially pleasing as it indicates that fire safety awareness initiatives are having a positive impact in County Clare,” Clare Chief Fire Officer, Adrian Kelly. “However, the number of incidences of fire in Clare remains unacceptably high. I would encourage householders to use their own initiative to learn and do more about fire prevention in the home. This is one of the main messages we will be conveying during Fire Safety Week 2009.”
The service will also host open station nights next week where local fire-fighters will be in attendance to offer advice on fire prevention.
The schedule is: Ennistymon and Shannon 7 to 9pm, Monday; Ennis 7 to 9pm, Tuesday; Kilrush and Kilkee, 6.30 to 8.30pm, Wednesday; Scariff and Killaloe, 6 to 8pm, Thursday.