15 newly commissioned Firefighters were recognised at a passing out parade attended by public representatives, local authority officials and members of the fire-fighters’ families in Foynes, County Limerick this afternoon.
Having already secured employment with Fire & Rescue Service units in counties Limerick, Laois, Cavan and Waterford, the Firefighters’ training included more than a dozen different modules covering all aspects of the service’s work responding to emergencies.
Some of their newly acquired firefighting skills were displayed during today’s passing out ceremony at Foynes Fire Station, where Limerick County Fire and Rescue Service has hosted the training since late October.
The newly qualified Firefighters (Fire Station) are Chris McMahon and Brian Sheehy (Cappamore, Limerick), Shaun Browne and Owen Madigan (Newcastle West, Limerick), Tony Dowling and Shane McCann (Kilmallock, Limerick), Gerard O’Donoghue (Limerick City), Brian Dunne (Durrow, Laois), David Barry (Kingscourt, Cavan), Noel Dolan and Barry Sheenan (Ballyjamesduff, Cavan), Eamon Mulcahy (Cavan), Mervyn Roe (Virginia, Cavan), Craig Sheehan (Dungarvan, Waterford) and Declan Power (Ardmore, Waterford).
Commenting on the Firefighters’ training, Paul McMahon, Course Director and Senior Assistant Chief Fire Officer with Limerick County Fire & Rescue Service stated: “The course covers all the basic Firefighter training to enable the recruit to start work with their respective Fire & Rescue Service units. The topics covered included all fire-fighter basic skills, ladder and pump drills, hydraulics, working from heights, introduction to hazardous materials, occupational first aid, legislation, and health and safety.”
Mr. McMahon explained that the course was run in Foynes due to the availability of suitable and modern training facilities at the Station.
He continued: “As well as available facilities to undertake such training at Foynes, we have huge scope to host drills and exercises around Foynes Port and the Shannon Estuary which helps prepare the recruits for the real life calls they will encounter throughout their new careers. There is also a great level of co-operation from the people in the Foynes area to facilitate this training.”
Mr. McMahon said the 15 new recruits, while now qualified to commence their work at their allocated Fire Stations, will participate in a number of additional courses over the coming months starting with a 2-week Breathing Apparatus course in Bray, Co. Wicklow, in December. Hosted once again by Limerick County Fire and Rescue Service, the course will see the Firefighters being trained how to wear the breathing apparatus kit and negotiate the unknown layout of buildings in dark, hot and humid conditions, as well as how to both extinguish fires and rescue casualties.
Today’s passing out parade was attended by Elected Representatives, County Managers and Chief Fire Officers from Limerick, Laois, Cavan and Waterford, Directors of Services from each of the local authorities, and the course instruction team comprising Station Officers John Mulready (Cappamore) and Eoin Kelly (Foynes) and Senior Station Officer Mark Manning (Limerick City).
Having already secured employment with Fire & Rescue Service units in counties Limerick, Laois, Cavan and Waterford, the Firefighters’ training included more than a dozen different modules covering all aspects of the service’s work responding to emergencies.
Some of their newly acquired firefighting skills were displayed during today’s passing out ceremony at Foynes Fire Station, where Limerick County Fire and Rescue Service has hosted the training since late October.
The newly qualified Firefighters (Fire Station) are Chris McMahon and Brian Sheehy (Cappamore, Limerick), Shaun Browne and Owen Madigan (Newcastle West, Limerick), Tony Dowling and Shane McCann (Kilmallock, Limerick), Gerard O’Donoghue (Limerick City), Brian Dunne (Durrow, Laois), David Barry (Kingscourt, Cavan), Noel Dolan and Barry Sheenan (Ballyjamesduff, Cavan), Eamon Mulcahy (Cavan), Mervyn Roe (Virginia, Cavan), Craig Sheehan (Dungarvan, Waterford) and Declan Power (Ardmore, Waterford).
Commenting on the Firefighters’ training, Paul McMahon, Course Director and Senior Assistant Chief Fire Officer with Limerick County Fire & Rescue Service stated: “The course covers all the basic Firefighter training to enable the recruit to start work with their respective Fire & Rescue Service units. The topics covered included all fire-fighter basic skills, ladder and pump drills, hydraulics, working from heights, introduction to hazardous materials, occupational first aid, legislation, and health and safety.”
Mr. McMahon explained that the course was run in Foynes due to the availability of suitable and modern training facilities at the Station.
He continued: “As well as available facilities to undertake such training at Foynes, we have huge scope to host drills and exercises around Foynes Port and the Shannon Estuary which helps prepare the recruits for the real life calls they will encounter throughout their new careers. There is also a great level of co-operation from the people in the Foynes area to facilitate this training.”
Mr. McMahon said the 15 new recruits, while now qualified to commence their work at their allocated Fire Stations, will participate in a number of additional courses over the coming months starting with a 2-week Breathing Apparatus course in Bray, Co. Wicklow, in December. Hosted once again by Limerick County Fire and Rescue Service, the course will see the Firefighters being trained how to wear the breathing apparatus kit and negotiate the unknown layout of buildings in dark, hot and humid conditions, as well as how to both extinguish fires and rescue casualties.
Today’s passing out parade was attended by Elected Representatives, County Managers and Chief Fire Officers from Limerick, Laois, Cavan and Waterford, Directors of Services from each of the local authorities, and the course instruction team comprising Station Officers John Mulready (Cappamore) and Eoin Kelly (Foynes) and Senior Station Officer Mark Manning (Limerick City).
