Mr. Phil Hogan, T.D., Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government will tomorrow (Wednesday) join Fire Officers, Academics, industry experts, and Government and Local Government officials from Ireland and overseas for the annual showcase event for Ireland’s Fire and Emergency Services sector.
The Irish Chief Fire Officers Association (CFOA) is holding its annual Conference and Fire Technology Exhibition in Naas, County Kildare, tomorrow and Thursday. The theme of this year's conference is "Leading the Fire Service of the Future".
The conference will be addressed by Sean Hogan (Director, National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management) John Power (Director General, Engineers Ireland); Paul Fuller (President, CFOA UK); Sue Lampard (President, British Association of Public Safety Communication Officials); Barry Van ‘ Padje and Guido Leegemate (Netherlands); Connor Hanaway (Managing Director, SHRC Limited); Caroline Creamer (National University of Ireland, Maynooth); Tony O’Brien (Deputy Executive Director, European Emergency Number Association); Margo Klaos (Estonian Rescue Board); Carmel Kirby (Limerick County Council); and Professor Daniel Boatright (Senior Associate Dean, University of Oklahoma, USA).
According to Seamus Murphy, CFOA Chairperson and Mayo Chief Fire Officer: "The aim of the conference and accompanying exhibition is to afford all involved in the fire and rescue area the opportunity to debate current issues and to see the latest developments in fire service appliances and equipment, and to explore the newest technology in fire service operations and fire prevention."
"This year's conference will host expert speakers within the Emergency Services Sector and the Fire Technology/Industry from Ireland, UK, USA, Netherlands and Estonia who with their experience, knowledge and wisdom in different aspects of the Fire Service will attempt to provide innovative thoughts and ideas about how the Fire and Rescue Service can adapt to meet these challenges," he added.
Celina Barrett, Conference Secretary and Kildare Chief Fire Officer, commented: "Kildare Fire and Rescue Service is delighted to be able to host this year's event, which takes place at an interesting time for the Irish Fire Service."
She continued: "The sector which has had to adapt and be competent to meet current and future challenges against a background of budget and service constraints, changing personnel demography, greater scrutiny and wider demands on the service it delivers to the community. Technology is rapidly advancing with information being readily available and expectations are more demanding for an instant solution."
The CFOA comprises the Chief Fire Officers of all Local Authorities in Ireland. The Association is also a member of the Federation of European Fire officers Associations and attends their twice yearly meetings.
Further details from www.cfoaconference2014.ie.
PROGRAMME:
Day 1: Wednesday 7th May
Session 1 - Chairperson: Pat Fleming, CFO, Dublin Fire Brigade
09.30-10.00 - Official Opening and Welcoming Address
Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government, Phil Hogan
Mayor of Kildare, Mark Wall
Kildare County Manager, Eamonn O’Sullivan
10.00-10.15
Address of Seamus Murphy, CFOA Chairperson, and Mayo Chief Fire Officer
10.15-10.50
Professor Daniel Boatright, Senior Associate Dean, University of Oklahoma
Psycho-Social Impacts in Disaster Response and Shelter Management
Session 2 - Chairperson: Maria Melia, CFO, Wexford Fire Service
14.00-14.35
Sue Lampard, President, British Association of Public Safety Communication Officials
Public Safety Communication- The U.K. Perspective
14.35-15.10
Tony O’Brien, Deputy Executive Director, European Emergency Number Association
The impact of meaningful mobile caller location information
16.20-16.55
Paul Fuller, President CFOA UK
Radically Different: The challenges and opportunities facing the UK Fire and Rescue Service over the next decade
Day 2: Thursday 8th May
Session 3 - Chairperson: Eamon Woulfe, Louth Fire Service
09.30-10.05
Conor Hanaway, Managing Director, Managing Director, SHRC
Leaders: How they make good things happen
10.05-10.40
Sean Hogan, National Director for Fire and Emergency Management
Leading Irish Fire Services into the Future
10.40-11.15
John Power, Director General, Engineers Ireland
Session 4 - Chairperson: Dave Carroll, Chief Fire Officer, North Tipperary County Council
14.00-14.35
Barry Van ‘t Padje and Guido Leegemate
Fire Safety Intelligence - Information as an Engine for Change
14.35-15.10
Margo Klaos, Estonian Rescue Board
Strategies against accidents - Estonian experiences and visions
15.10-15.45
Carmel Kirby, Limerick County Council
Towards a new agile public governance model – an opportunity for public sector innovation through the merger of Limerick City and County Councils
15.45-16.20
Caroline Creamer, National University of Ireland, Maynooth
Emergency Planning, The Fire Service and the Shared Services Agenda: A Different Model for A New Future?
16.20-16.30
Open Forum & Closing Summation
