Number Of Road Traffic And Fire Incidents Decrease In County Clare In 2008

Between January and August, the Service was called out to 148 road traffic incidents in Clare – a decrease of over 12% on figures for the same period in 2007.

Meanwhile, the record-breaking rainfall of recent months has led to a 55% drop in the number of forest, grass and bog fire incidents. Elsewhere, chimney fire cases dropped by 12% and domestic fires were up 8.5% to 64. The overall number of incidents attended by the Service dropped by over 6% from 879 to 823.

The release of the statistics coincides with the Clare launch of National Fire Safety Week 2008, which runs from 6-13 October 2008.

The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government will host the 7th annual North-South initiative, in association with the National Safety Council and the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service. Clare County Fire and Rescue Service will also take part by hosting a series of local prevention activities to heighten fire safety awareness.

Commenting on the number of incidences attended by Clare County Fire and Rescue Service, Adrian Kelly, Chief Fire Officer explained, "The decrease in the number of call outs to road traffic incidents is especially pleasing as it indicates that road safety awareness initiatives are having a positive impact in County Clare’.

Mr. Kelly expressed disappointment that the number of false alarms continued to remain high.

He said, "While lower than the overall figure for the first eight months of 2007, there were 93 false alarms, 38 of which were malicious, in the same period this year. Such call outs result in Clare County Fire and Rescue Service resources being deployed unnecessarily."

Meanwhile, Mr. Kelly said that the significant drop in the number of chimney fires indicated that members of the public were becoming more fire safety conscious.

‘Sadly, the number of incidences of fire in Clare remains unacceptably high. Most significantly and regrettably, there were five fire-related fatalities in the county between January and August. 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 2008", added. Mr. Kelly.

Commenting on this year’s theme of "Fire Safety Is Your Safety", Mr. Kelly stated, ‘The upcoming fire safety week will highlight the importance of testing your smoke alarms weekly, having your escape route planned and knowing your obligations regarding fire safety in the home. We will also be requesting that schools and businesses to also undertake fire drills during National Fire Safety Week.’

Throughout National Fire Safety Week 2008, the Clare County Fire and Rescue Service will be issuing fire safety advice through local newspaper advertisements and an information slot on local radio.

The Service will also host open station nights at Ennistymon, Shannon, Ennis, Killaloe, Scariff, Kilkee and Kilrush where local fire fighters will be in attendance to offer advice and give out leaflets and posters in relation to fire prevention.

The messages being promoted during Fire Safety Week include:
· Install smoke alarms in your home to give you an early warning, check your smoke alarm at least twice a year & Use long life lithium batteries with your smoke alarm if possible
· Close all your doors at night and check that electrical appliances are switched off.
· Avoid overloading electrical sockets
· Use an effective spark guard with open fires
· Clean your chimneys twice a year
· Keep a fire extinguisher and/or fire blanket nearby and know how to use them
· Use electric blankets sensibly – Follow the manufacturer’s instructions
· Make sure cigarettes are extinguished properly - Avoid smoking in bed
· In the event of a fire in your home Get Out, Stay Out And Call the Fire Brigade Out
· The phone number to call out the Fire Service is 999/112

Open nights will take place at the following:
Ennistymon Fire Station, 7-9pm, Monday 6 October 2008
Shannon Fire Station, 7-9pm, Monday 6 October 2008
Ennis Fire Station, 7-9pm, Tuesday 7 October 2008
Kilrush Fire Station, 6.30-8.30pm, Wednesday 8 October 2008
Kilkee Fire Station, 7.30-9.30pm, Wednesday 8 October 2008
Scariff Fire Station, 6-8pm, Thursday 9 October 2008
Killaloe Fire Station, 7-9pm, Thursday 9 October 2008

Clare County Fire and Rescue Service is presently involved in numerous other Community Fire Safety Initiatives around the County.

So far this year, firefighters have visited schools around the County giving Fire Safety Advice Sessions. The Programme is expected to continue in the 2008-09 school year.

Elsewhere, the Smoke Detector Programme for Venerable groups continues in partnership with Clare County Council's Community & Enterprise Section. Service Firefighters have made 107 Home Fire Safety visits in the Ennis, Kilrush and Shannon areas, with plans to conduct similar visits in Killaloe and Kilrush in October. The visits are used to raise awareness of Fire Safety, the use of smoke detectors and the prevention of accidental fire. Meanwhile, regular fire safety inspections also continue to be undertaken by Firefighters in hotels and nightclubs.

Clare County Fire and Rescue Service is currently made up of 12 Senior Fire Officers, 1 Wholetime Station Officer in Ennis and 77 Retained Firefighters in seven stations throughout Clare.

The Service fleet consists of 27 vehicles including twelve Class B Fire Appliances, three Water Tankers, two Emergency Tenders, two Aerial Rescue Vehicles and six 4-Wheel Drives. The Service also possesses four Spare Class B appliances and one Maintenance Van.

The Clare County Fire and Rescue Service Headquarters is located at Central Fire Station, New Road, Ennis, County Clare.

In the event of a fire in your home "Get Out, Stay Out And Call the Fire Brigade Out". The Fire Service can be contacted by dialling 999.

-ENDS-

Notes to Editors:
- Adrian Kelly, Chief Fire Officer, Clare County Fire & Rescue Service is available for interview and/or further comment. Please contact Mark Dunphy of Dunphy Public Relations on 086-8534900 or email media@dunphypr.com.
- A full breakdown of statistics for Jan-Aug 2008 (incl. Individual fire stations) is available on request

Mark Dunphy
Dunphy Public Relations
www.dunphypr.com
media@dunphypr.com
00353-868534900