Fourteen County Limerick Fire Fighters have been presented with 10-year service awards at a ceremony in Limerick County Hall.
The Fire Service personnel hail from the County’s six Fire Stations in Abbeyfeale, Cappamore, Foynes ,Kilmallock, Newcastle West and Rathkeale.
10-Year Service Award Recipients:
Sub Station Officer Denis Joy (Abbeyfeale Fire Brigade); Driver Mechanic John O’Connell, Fire Fighter Michael Lonergan and Driver Mechanic Patrick Maher (Cappamore Fire Brigade); Sub Station Officer Sabrina McCarthy (Foynes Fire Brigade); Fire Fighter Pat Heffernan and Driver Mechanic William Sheedy (Kilmallock Fire Brigade); Sub Station Officer Des Normoyle and Driver Mechanic John Flaherty (Newcastle West Fire Brigade); and Driver Mechanic Barry Naughton, Sub Station Officer JJ Riordan, Dire Fighter Joe Dunne, Station Officer John Lyons and Driver Mechanic Niall Ryan (Rathkeale Fire Brigade).
Cllr. David Naughton, outgoing Cathaoirleach of Limerick County Council commented: “In celebrating the outstanding service provided by 14 Fire Fighters over the past 10 years, Limerick County Council is acknowledging the contribution made by all Fire Service personnel throughout County Limerick.”
The Cathaoirleach pointed out that the commitment and professionalism of the award recipients was indicative of the highly experienced personnel employed by Limerick County Fire and Rescue Service.
“Being a Fire Fighter requires dedication, skill, and very often great bravery. It also requires Fire Fighters to live and work within 2 miles of their respective Station so as to ensure that they are available 24 hours a day. I would like to pay tribute to families of Fire Fighters who have given them the necessary support during their time in the Fire Service. Such support is invaluable to a fully functioning and effective Fire Service”, he said.
Commenting on the ongoing programme of investment in the Fire Service, both at local and national level, Cllr Naughton said: “Such investment is crucial in ensuring that the effectiveness of the Service’s response to incidents is maximised. Despite the current financial constraints, I would urge the local authority and the Department for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to continue to inject the necessary funds to meet the requirements of a modern and efficient Fire Service.”
The Cathaoirleach commended the Fire Service for the work it carries out in shifting the focus from responding to fires, to involving the community at large in the task of preventing fires. “The shift in the focus of fire services activities from response to prevention activity is something that is happening all over Ireland and indeed Europe. School visits and the installation of smoke alarms in the homes of elderly people across the County has helped to raise awareness of the danger posed by fire”, he stated.
The Cathaoirleach also expressed his appreciation and the appreciation of the people of County Limerick of the role of all statutory bodies, volunteer organisations and individuals, who he said contribute to emergency response efforts 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Carmel Kirby, Chief Fire Officer complimented the award recipients for their 10 years of service.
“I would like to thank the Cathaoirleach, Elected Representatives and the Executive of Limerick County Council for recognising the valuable role played by Fire Fighters by presenting these Service Awards. The commitment and professionalism of Limerick County Fire and Rescue Service personnel will continue to ensure that the safety and security of members of the local community is protected”, she added.
Ms. Kirby noted that the past 12 months have seen a series of ongoing positive developments for Limerick County Fire and Rescue Service.
“Following on from the completion of extensive building refurbishment works at Rathkeale and Newcastle West Fire Stations, work commenced on the construction of a new Fire Station in Kilmallock in late 2009. This project is scheduled for completion in the autumn. Elsewhere, we have proceeded to design stage regarding the proposed new Fire Station for Cappamore. The commencement of work on this facility will represent yet another major step forward for the fire service.”
“Limerick County Council Fire & Rescue Service was again presented with an ISO 9001:2000 Certificate, the International Quality Standard for Service Delivery, for the tenth successive year.”
“Limerick County Fire and Rescue Service continues to play an important role in increasing fire safety awareness. A key element of successful fire prevention is to provide the public with guidance on how to protect their families and homes from fire. The local Fire Service is doing this in a number ways including through its participation in Fire Safety Week, the Community Smoke Alarm Scheme and the Primary Schools Programme.
“The Fire Service’s emphasis on quality is further underlined by the ongoing investment in further enhancing the ability of personnel to effectively deal with fire incidents. Fire Fighters regularly participated in local, regional and national training exercises”, Ms. Kirby concluded.
The Fire Service personnel hail from the County’s six Fire Stations in Abbeyfeale, Cappamore, Foynes ,Kilmallock, Newcastle West and Rathkeale.
10-Year Service Award Recipients:
Sub Station Officer Denis Joy (Abbeyfeale Fire Brigade); Driver Mechanic John O’Connell, Fire Fighter Michael Lonergan and Driver Mechanic Patrick Maher (Cappamore Fire Brigade); Sub Station Officer Sabrina McCarthy (Foynes Fire Brigade); Fire Fighter Pat Heffernan and Driver Mechanic William Sheedy (Kilmallock Fire Brigade); Sub Station Officer Des Normoyle and Driver Mechanic John Flaherty (Newcastle West Fire Brigade); and Driver Mechanic Barry Naughton, Sub Station Officer JJ Riordan, Dire Fighter Joe Dunne, Station Officer John Lyons and Driver Mechanic Niall Ryan (Rathkeale Fire Brigade).
Cllr. David Naughton, outgoing Cathaoirleach of Limerick County Council commented: “In celebrating the outstanding service provided by 14 Fire Fighters over the past 10 years, Limerick County Council is acknowledging the contribution made by all Fire Service personnel throughout County Limerick.”
The Cathaoirleach pointed out that the commitment and professionalism of the award recipients was indicative of the highly experienced personnel employed by Limerick County Fire and Rescue Service.
“Being a Fire Fighter requires dedication, skill, and very often great bravery. It also requires Fire Fighters to live and work within 2 miles of their respective Station so as to ensure that they are available 24 hours a day. I would like to pay tribute to families of Fire Fighters who have given them the necessary support during their time in the Fire Service. Such support is invaluable to a fully functioning and effective Fire Service”, he said.
Commenting on the ongoing programme of investment in the Fire Service, both at local and national level, Cllr Naughton said: “Such investment is crucial in ensuring that the effectiveness of the Service’s response to incidents is maximised. Despite the current financial constraints, I would urge the local authority and the Department for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to continue to inject the necessary funds to meet the requirements of a modern and efficient Fire Service.”
The Cathaoirleach commended the Fire Service for the work it carries out in shifting the focus from responding to fires, to involving the community at large in the task of preventing fires. “The shift in the focus of fire services activities from response to prevention activity is something that is happening all over Ireland and indeed Europe. School visits and the installation of smoke alarms in the homes of elderly people across the County has helped to raise awareness of the danger posed by fire”, he stated.
The Cathaoirleach also expressed his appreciation and the appreciation of the people of County Limerick of the role of all statutory bodies, volunteer organisations and individuals, who he said contribute to emergency response efforts 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Carmel Kirby, Chief Fire Officer complimented the award recipients for their 10 years of service.
“I would like to thank the Cathaoirleach, Elected Representatives and the Executive of Limerick County Council for recognising the valuable role played by Fire Fighters by presenting these Service Awards. The commitment and professionalism of Limerick County Fire and Rescue Service personnel will continue to ensure that the safety and security of members of the local community is protected”, she added.
Ms. Kirby noted that the past 12 months have seen a series of ongoing positive developments for Limerick County Fire and Rescue Service.
“Following on from the completion of extensive building refurbishment works at Rathkeale and Newcastle West Fire Stations, work commenced on the construction of a new Fire Station in Kilmallock in late 2009. This project is scheduled for completion in the autumn. Elsewhere, we have proceeded to design stage regarding the proposed new Fire Station for Cappamore. The commencement of work on this facility will represent yet another major step forward for the fire service.”
“Limerick County Council Fire & Rescue Service was again presented with an ISO 9001:2000 Certificate, the International Quality Standard for Service Delivery, for the tenth successive year.”
“Limerick County Fire and Rescue Service continues to play an important role in increasing fire safety awareness. A key element of successful fire prevention is to provide the public with guidance on how to protect their families and homes from fire. The local Fire Service is doing this in a number ways including through its participation in Fire Safety Week, the Community Smoke Alarm Scheme and the Primary Schools Programme.
“The Fire Service’s emphasis on quality is further underlined by the ongoing investment in further enhancing the ability of personnel to effectively deal with fire incidents. Fire Fighters regularly participated in local, regional and national training exercises”, Ms. Kirby concluded.
