Limerick County Council’s new Fire Station in Kilmallock has become operational this week.
The €1.3m facility, which replaces the original station in the town, has been completed on schedule and enables the Fire Service to be self sufficient in the Kilmallock Area for the first time.
The new station features a three-bay Fire Station with ancillary areas and a 13m-high drill training tower on a green field site at the junction of the Bruff and Bruree Roads, adjacent to Kilmallock Business Park.
The development was funded by the Fire Services and Emergency Planning Section of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government which provided 1.6m euro for all costs, including Construction Costs and Design Fees.
The new station was constructed by M. Fitzgibbon (Builders) Ltd. The Design Team comprised Gilroy McMahon Architects, Mulcahy McDonagh Quantity Surveyors, Muir Associates Structural Engineering Consultant, and Varming Mech and Elec Consulting Engineering.
Commenting on the commencement of operations at Kilmallock Fire Station, Cllr. Richard Butler, Cathaoirleach of Limerick County Council said: “It is very appropriate that this new facility has become operational during National Fire Safety Week 2010. The completion of this project represents a very positive development for Limerick County Fire and Rescue Service as well as the people who live in, work in and visit Kilmallock and its environs. It is also to see that investment in our emergency services is continuing in spite of the current difficult economic climate.”
“The development of this modern and well-equipped Fire And Rescue facility represents yet another significant boost for the infrastructure of Kilmallock and surrounding areas, which last year benefited from the opening of the new 6m euro Kilmallock Area Office and Regional Library”, he added.
Carmel Kirby, Chief Fire Officer, Limerick County Fire and Rescue Service said the fire fighting capability of the local service will be greatly enhanced through the provision of the new fire station. She noted that the welfare, health and safety of fire officers also will be further improved by the provision of the new facility.
Chief Kirby explained: “The development of Kilmallock’s first training area and drill tower, along with a service area for Breathing Apparatus Equipment, will further improve the Service’s ability to respond to emergency incidents.”
Ms. Kirby confirmed that 12 fire fighters are based locally in Kilmallock. Meanwhile, two Class B Fire Appliances, a Water Carrier and Four-Wheel Drive are currently located in Kilmallock.
Limerick County Fire and Rescue Service is currently made up of 10 Senior Fire Officers, 1 Wholetime Brigade Mechanic and 72 Retained Firefighters in six stations throughout Limerick, including Kilmallock, Foynes, Newcastle West, Abbeyfeale, Rathkeale and Cappamore. The Service also provides financial support to its counterpart service in Limerick City, to provide fire cover to the city environs in County Limerick.
The Service fleet consists of 30 vehicles, including 12 Class B Fire Appliances, 4 Water Tankers, 1 Emergency Tender, 1 Aerial Rescue Vehicle and 3 Four-Wheel Drives. The Service also possesses 3 Spare Class B appliances and six additional support vehicles. The Service has also been awarded the quality management standard ISO 9001:2008, which is subject to an external audit each year.
