EUR1.2M Boost For County Clare Fire And Rescue Service

The Department has also committed funding of over EUR1.2M to the long awaited project.

Tom Burke, Acting Chief Fire Officer described today’s announcement as a major step forward in the ongoing development of fire and rescue services across County Clare.

The proposed improvements include the addition of three extra fire bays, developing the drill yard as well as the inclusion of new accommodation facilities for the crew.

He said, ‘The fire fighting capability of the local service will be greatly enhanced through the provision of a refurbished and larger station in County Clare’s second largest town.’

According to Mr. Burke, ‘The completion of these works will enable the Fire and Rescue Service to allocate additional fire vehicles in Shannon. We also intend developing training facilities in Shannon, similar to those currently being put in place at Ennis Fire Station. Furthermore, the Service intends locating a new water tanker in Shannon, subject to the approval of funding by the Department. The provision of this unit will enhance our capability to deal with structural fires along with fire incidents in Shannon and its' environs.’

Mr Burke confirmed that the project will shortly commence to construction stage and is expected to be completed next summer.

He continued, ‘I would like to thank the Department for following through on the previous commitments it gave to developing the fire station in Shannon.’

Cllr Patricia McCarthy, Chairperson of the Strategic Policy Committee on the Environment, Emergency Services and Consumer Affairs, commented, ‘This is great news for the County Clare Fire and Rescue Service considering it follows on so quickly after the official opening of the new Killaloe Fire Station and the Department’s approval of funding for a new fire training centre in Ennis’.

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.

-ENDS-

Notes to Editor:
- For further information or to arrange an interview please contact Mark Dunphy of Dunphy Public Relations on 086-8534900 or email media@dunphypr.com