The new fire station in Kilmallock, Co Limerick was officially opened today by Michael Finneran, T.D., Minister of State for Housing & Local Services at the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government
The €1.6m facility, which replaces the original station in the town, was completed on schedule in October and has enabled 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.
Speaking today, Minister of State Finneran said: “The commitment to continuing investment in infrastructure and equipment, better training and the provision of improved communications infrastructure has brought major improvements in the fire service infrastructure nationally. With the current cold spell, there is an increased risk posed by the use of open fires in the home. It is in the domestic setting that the great majority of fire deaths occur and I again encourage the less than one in five households which our research indicates do not have working smoke alarms – to get them, install them and check them regularly.”
Commenting on the new station Cllr. Richard Butler, Cathaoirleach of Limerick County Council said: “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.
“It is reassuring to see that investment in Limerick County Fire and Rescue Service is continuing and that personnel are being delivered the necessary resources to allow them to respond to emergency incidents with maximum efficiency”, added the Cathaoirleach.
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 Consulting Engineers, Varming Mechanical and Electrical Consultants, and Mulcahy McDonagh Quantity Surveyors.
Carmel Kirby, Chief Fire Officer, Limerick County Fire and Rescue Service said the development of Kilmallock’s first training area and drill tower, along with a service area for Breathing Apparatus Equipment, further improves the Service’s ability to respond to emergency incidents.
She continued: “This is a landmark day for Limerick County Fire and Rescue Service as it officially marks the completion of one of the best equipped and modern fire stations in the entire Mid West Region. The fire fighting capability of the local service has been greatly enhanced through the provision of the new fire station. The welfare, health and safety of fire officers also has been further improved by the provision of the new facility.”
12 fire fighters are based locally in Kilmallock where two Class B Fire Appliances, a Water Carrier and Four-Wheel Drive are currently located.
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.
The €1.6m facility, which replaces the original station in the town, was completed on schedule in October and has enabled 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.
Speaking today, Minister of State Finneran said: “The commitment to continuing investment in infrastructure and equipment, better training and the provision of improved communications infrastructure has brought major improvements in the fire service infrastructure nationally. With the current cold spell, there is an increased risk posed by the use of open fires in the home. It is in the domestic setting that the great majority of fire deaths occur and I again encourage the less than one in five households which our research indicates do not have working smoke alarms – to get them, install them and check them regularly.”
Commenting on the new station Cllr. Richard Butler, Cathaoirleach of Limerick County Council said: “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.
“It is reassuring to see that investment in Limerick County Fire and Rescue Service is continuing and that personnel are being delivered the necessary resources to allow them to respond to emergency incidents with maximum efficiency”, added the Cathaoirleach.
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 Consulting Engineers, Varming Mechanical and Electrical Consultants, and Mulcahy McDonagh Quantity Surveyors.
Carmel Kirby, Chief Fire Officer, Limerick County Fire and Rescue Service said the development of Kilmallock’s first training area and drill tower, along with a service area for Breathing Apparatus Equipment, further improves the Service’s ability to respond to emergency incidents.
She continued: “This is a landmark day for Limerick County Fire and Rescue Service as it officially marks the completion of one of the best equipped and modern fire stations in the entire Mid West Region. The fire fighting capability of the local service has been greatly enhanced through the provision of the new fire station. The welfare, health and safety of fire officers also has been further improved by the provision of the new facility.”
12 fire fighters are based locally in Kilmallock where two Class B Fire Appliances, a Water Carrier and Four-Wheel Drive are currently located.
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.
