Number Of Fire Incidents Decrease In County Clare

Between January and August, the Service was called out to 725 fire incidents in Clare – a decrease of almost 14 pc 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 (-7pc), Shannon (-32pc), Ennistymon (-10pc), Scariff (-26pc), Killaloe (-36pc), Kilrush (-7pc) and Kilkee (-33pc).

The release of the statistics coincides with the launch of National Fire Safety Week 2009, which runs from 5-12 October 2009. The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government will host the 8th 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. The theme of this year’s safety campaign is "Working Smoke Alarms Save Lives".

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 fire incidents is especially pleasing as it indicates that fire safety awareness initiatives are having a positive impact in County Clare. 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."

Throughout National Fire Safety Week 2009, the Clare County Fire and Rescue Service will be issuing fire safety advice through local newspaper advertisements and three information slots on Clare FM.

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.

Open nights will take place at the following:
Ennistymon Fire Station, 7-9pm, Monday 5 October 2009
Shannon Fire Station, 7-9pm, Monday 5 October 2009
Ennis Fire Station, 7-9pm, Tuesday 6 October 2009
Kilrush Fire Station, 6.30-8.30pm, Wednesday 7 October 2009
Kilkee Fire Station, 7.30-9.30pm, Wednesday 7 October 2009
Scariff Fire Station, 6-8pm, Thursday 8 October 2009
Killaloe Fire Station, 7-9pm, Thursday 8 October 2009

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 Fire Service can be contacted by dialling 999/112.

-ENDS-

Notes to Editors:
- For further information please contact Mark Dunphy of Dunphy Public Relations on 086-8534900 or email media@dunphypr.com.
- A full breakdown of statistics for Jan-Aug 2009 (incl. Individual fire stations) is available on request

Mark Dunphy
Dunphy Public Relations
Connolly, Ennis, Co Clare, IRELAND
(Tel) 00353-868534900
(Fax) 00353-6839692
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