Past and present members of Limerick County Fire and Rescue Service gathered at Rathkeale Fire Station last night for an event marking the organisation’s 70th anniversary.
The origins of the local Fire Service date back to December 1942 when Limerick County Council located a newly purchased Sultzer Fire Engine, the County’s solitary fire engine, in Rathkeale. At the same time, Council worker John Doyle was appointed ‘Captain’ of the Fire Service and tasked with recruiting five men to operate the engine.
Among those gathered in Rathkeale last night were family members of the late John Doyle and the late Paddy O’Sullivan, who was the County’s first Chief Fire Officer.
Speaking last night Cllr. Jerome Scanlan, Cathaoirleach of Limerick County Council stated that while the scale and capacity of the Fire Service had changed during the past 70 years, the basic objectives of the organisation had remained constant.
He explained: “The vision has always been to provide a high quality and responsive Fire and Rescue Service to the people of County Limerick. I am delighted to see that investment in our local Fire Service is continuing and that personnel are being delivered the necessary resources to allow them to respond to emergency incidents with maximum efficiency.”
Ms. Josephine Cotter Coughlan, Director of Services with responsibility for the Emergency Services acknowledged the key figures involved with the development of the local Fire Service during the last seven decades, including the late Dick Haslam who as County Manager between 1970 and 1988 oversaw the construction of six Fire Stations. During this time, the organisation was also well served by Chief Fire Officer Joe McGrath and Assistant Chief Fire Officer Frank Dennison, who was a member of Limerick County Fire and Rescue Service for 37 years.
She added: “Limerick County Fire and Rescue Service is now one of the best trained and equipped services in the country. The Service fleet and facilities are continually being upgraded and expanded, while staff regularly undergo training to further enhance their combined ability to respond to and deal with emergency incidents.”
Speaking last night, Carmel Kirby, Chief Fire Officer said: “I want to thank successive County Managers and elected council officials for their ongoing investment in the local fire service. My colleagues and I look forward to continuing to commit our experience, energy and enthusiasm to the job and in doing so honour the memory of those who have contributed to the development of Limerick County Fire and Rescue Service.”
History of Limerick County Fire and Rescue Service
Remarkably, there was no obligation in Ireland to have any public firefighting system before 1940, the year in which aerial bombardment of Britain got underway. Fearful of the consequences of Ireland being drawn into World War Two, the Fire Brigades Act was passed in 1940. In December 1942, three men representing Limerick County Council, John Doyle, John King and County manager Patrick J. Meghen went to Dublin and purchased one Sultzer Fire Engine to be based in Rathkeale. John Doyle was appointed “Captain” of the new County Service. He was told to base himself in Rathkeale, and to recruit five men.
That said, John and his crew of 5 remained somewhat unique for a number of years in County Limerick. The rest of the County still had to rely on small portable pumps which had to be hauled in trailers. It wasn’t until 1962 that the first new appliance arrived in Rathkeale.
In the intervening period, however, there were some considerable structural and infrastructural developments for the fire service in Limerick. In 1943, plans were finalised for the new Fire Station in the Square here Rathkeale. In 1947, the county was divided into four areas, resulting in the establishment of new fire crews and stations in Newcastle West and Kilmallock, as well as the city. The Newcastle and Kilmallock crews were to be given a small allowance for their services. This would turn out to be the beginnings of the local Fire Service.
Abbeyfeale was later established in 1968 and Cappamore in 1969, following a complete review of the county fire service needs. The last full crew was established in Foynes in 1982.
Limerick County Fire and Rescue Service today boasts a complement of 19 appliances in 6 modern stations.
The origins of the local Fire Service date back to December 1942 when Limerick County Council located a newly purchased Sultzer Fire Engine, the County’s solitary fire engine, in Rathkeale. At the same time, Council worker John Doyle was appointed ‘Captain’ of the Fire Service and tasked with recruiting five men to operate the engine.
Among those gathered in Rathkeale last night were family members of the late John Doyle and the late Paddy O’Sullivan, who was the County’s first Chief Fire Officer.
Speaking last night Cllr. Jerome Scanlan, Cathaoirleach of Limerick County Council stated that while the scale and capacity of the Fire Service had changed during the past 70 years, the basic objectives of the organisation had remained constant.
He explained: “The vision has always been to provide a high quality and responsive Fire and Rescue Service to the people of County Limerick. I am delighted to see that investment in our local Fire Service is continuing and that personnel are being delivered the necessary resources to allow them to respond to emergency incidents with maximum efficiency.”
Ms. Josephine Cotter Coughlan, Director of Services with responsibility for the Emergency Services acknowledged the key figures involved with the development of the local Fire Service during the last seven decades, including the late Dick Haslam who as County Manager between 1970 and 1988 oversaw the construction of six Fire Stations. During this time, the organisation was also well served by Chief Fire Officer Joe McGrath and Assistant Chief Fire Officer Frank Dennison, who was a member of Limerick County Fire and Rescue Service for 37 years.
She added: “Limerick County Fire and Rescue Service is now one of the best trained and equipped services in the country. The Service fleet and facilities are continually being upgraded and expanded, while staff regularly undergo training to further enhance their combined ability to respond to and deal with emergency incidents.”
Speaking last night, Carmel Kirby, Chief Fire Officer said: “I want to thank successive County Managers and elected council officials for their ongoing investment in the local fire service. My colleagues and I look forward to continuing to commit our experience, energy and enthusiasm to the job and in doing so honour the memory of those who have contributed to the development of Limerick County Fire and Rescue Service.”
History of Limerick County Fire and Rescue Service
Remarkably, there was no obligation in Ireland to have any public firefighting system before 1940, the year in which aerial bombardment of Britain got underway. Fearful of the consequences of Ireland being drawn into World War Two, the Fire Brigades Act was passed in 1940. In December 1942, three men representing Limerick County Council, John Doyle, John King and County manager Patrick J. Meghen went to Dublin and purchased one Sultzer Fire Engine to be based in Rathkeale. John Doyle was appointed “Captain” of the new County Service. He was told to base himself in Rathkeale, and to recruit five men.
That said, John and his crew of 5 remained somewhat unique for a number of years in County Limerick. The rest of the County still had to rely on small portable pumps which had to be hauled in trailers. It wasn’t until 1962 that the first new appliance arrived in Rathkeale.
In the intervening period, however, there were some considerable structural and infrastructural developments for the fire service in Limerick. In 1943, plans were finalised for the new Fire Station in the Square here Rathkeale. In 1947, the county was divided into four areas, resulting in the establishment of new fire crews and stations in Newcastle West and Kilmallock, as well as the city. The Newcastle and Kilmallock crews were to be given a small allowance for their services. This would turn out to be the beginnings of the local Fire Service.
Abbeyfeale was later established in 1968 and Cappamore in 1969, following a complete review of the county fire service needs. The last full crew was established in Foynes in 1982.
Limerick County Fire and Rescue Service today boasts a complement of 19 appliances in 6 modern stations.
