Tag Archives: Clare Fire Service

BUSINESSES in Shannon are being approached by Clare Fire Service in a bid to encourage people to join the service with Clare Chief Fire Officer Adrian Kelly admitting recruitment in the town is “a challenge”. Shannon Fire Brigade has been approved to increase its crew from 12 to 15, however at the moment there are nine at the station. A recruitment video, visits to businesses, a webinar and meetings with Shannon Chamber are just some of the methods the fire service has been using to encourage people to get involved. Chief Fire Officer Kelly presented a review of the objectives of the 2014 Fire and Emergency Operations Plan at a meeting of the Physical Directorate Strategic Policy Committee this week. He outlined that the “objectives have been achieved and exceeded in many instances. Clare County Council have continued to provide resources to its Fire Service in order that the service to the public is maintained to the highest standards, and …

“PHENOMENAL effort” on the part of Clare’s fire service was hailed this week, as the Chief Fire Officer revealed that it has significantly cut its average response times to incidents across the county. At a meeting of the council’s Physical Development Strategic Policy Committee, Adrian Kelly outlined how a new operational plan is being drawn up for the service which also has responsibility for building control. The existing Fire and Emergency Operations Plan is to be reviewed, taking account of any legislative changes, and will be presented to the SPC before it goes forward for discussion before the full council. The service which operates out of seven stations, has 75 retained staff in addition to nine senior fire officers, four administrators, two fitters and one station officer. Chief Fire Officer Kelly outlined how response times have improved over the last five years. The average time required to mobilise to fires has failed down to 5.28 minutes. In 2016, it had …

THE turnover of Clare’s retained firefighters is “like a revolving door” with 47 people leaving the service since 2016, a meeting of Clare County Council was told this week. However, council CEO Pat Dowling has insisted “Clare Fire and Rescue Service is not in a state of crisis.” Councillor Liam Grant, who works as a retained firefighter in Ennistymon, outlined that a full crew at Killaloe fire station would usually consist of nine firefighters but there are just seven at the moment. “There’s a lot of pressure being put on those seven and if they don’t get back-up, I’m full sure some will resign. When fully staffed we have 75 retained firefighters in the county. Since 2016, 47 people have left the fire service in Clare that weren’t at retirement age. We’ve had a turnover of about 60% in the last few years. It wasn’t because they retired, they just didn’t want to do it anymore. This is not sustainable”. He …

EMERGENCY services have dealt with a chemical incident close to a popular beach in Clare, reports Pat Flynn. Clare County Fire and Rescue Service and Gardaí were alerted at around 1.30pm today following a report that a drum had washed onto rocks at White Strand near Miltown Malbay. Units of the fire service from Ennistymon and Kilrush stations responded to the incident. On arrival, fire crews carried out an assessment of the scene and confirmed that a 40-gallon container had washed onto the rocks about 300 metres from the beach and close to a popular walking path. Firefighters wearing specialist chemical suits for dealing with hazardous materials used a ladder to reach the scene. The incident was located in a small cove at the base of a 15m cliff. Fire crews confirmed that the plastic barrel had split and its contents had spilled onto the rocks. As a precaution, fire service personnel set up a cordon around the scene and …

The importance of having working smoke alarms installed in the home is the key message of National Fire Safety Week 2020. National Fire Safety Week, jointly run with the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, is about enhancing fire safety, particularly in the home. This year’s theme is ‘Smoke Alarms Save Lives’, or ‘Sábhálann aláraim deataigh beathaí’. The campaign will focus on fire safety in the home as the public continues to spend a greater amount of time at home during the current public health situation. Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, Councillor Mary Howard, said, “National Fire Safety Week provides a timely reminder that there are steps we can all take to protect ourselves, our loved ones and our homes from fire. Remember the STOP acronym: ‘S’ is for Smoke alarms – make sure you have at least one on every floor. ‘T’ is for Test your smoke alarm weekly, or ask someone to check it for you. ‘O’ is …

A NUMBER of units of Clare County Fire and Rescue Service were dispatched to Lissycasey this morning (Friday) following reports of a fire at Talty’s Joinery. It is that understood that up to four units responded to the incident and attended the scene on the Kilrush road earlier this morning. There are no reports of injuries.

CLARE County Fire and Rescue Service is urging members of the public to remain fire safety aware during the Christmas period. The fire service says the main causes of fire during the festive season are candles left unprotected, fairy lights left on all night or improperly wired, Christmas trees falling over, open fires without fireguards, and decorations catching fire. “Christmas is a time for celebrating with families but it also is a time when extra fire hazards appear such as fairy lights, candles, open fires and decorations. I encourage householders across Clare to think about fire safety ahead of and during the Christmas period to avoid the risk of their Christmas being ruined,” Clare Chief Fire Officer Adrian Kelly said. “Open fires are used for longer periods during the winter and Christmas period as people spend a lot more time at home. Electrical items and extension leads are also used more. Add in flammable decorations, candles and alcohol and it becomes …

Clare County Fire and Rescue Service is urging householders to review the building regulations relating to heat producing appliances to ensure stoves and flues are installed correctly. The rising popularity of stoves in recent years has led to an increase in emergency callouts to stove-related domestic fires and incidences of carbon monoxide build-up in the home, according to the fire service. Adrian Kelly, Clare chief fire officer, said, “Fires can occasionally be due to the poor installation of stoves and flues. Some of these fires have caused substantial damage to the surrounding building and consequently, have put lives at risk. “Stoves burn at very high temperatures and therefore, the appliance and the flues need to be installed correctly. They should be clearly spaced from any timber or combustible materials. Insulated flues that pass through ceilings and walls need to be spaced and/or encased correctly.” Current guidance advises that when a new heating stove is installed, carbon Monoxide detectors should be …