Blueprint for provisions of fire services in Shannon nearing finalisation
The final draft is said to go before council members in Q3/Q4 of 2025 for both consideration and adoption
Work on a blueprint which will govern provisions of fire services for the Shannon region are currently being finalised, the Clare County Council has revealed.
Coming as a result of a Notice of Motion submitted by Fianna Fáil Cllr Patrick O'Gorman, he called on the council to ensure that there is an appropriate level of fire service cover in the Shannon region, noting the international airport, large industrial base and ever-growing population in the area.
Committed to maintaining the standards set out in the government policy 'Keeping Communities Safe - A Framework For Fire Safety in Ireland', Chief Fire Officer Adrian Kelly put forward a written reply.
He said, "An initial draft Fire and Emergency Operations Plan 2025-2030 for Clare County Council has been presented at the Physical Directorate's last Strategic Policy Committee meeting. A final draft is currently being prepared for the consideration of the Elected Members.
"As set out under Section 26 of the Fire Services Act 1981 and 2003, this plan will detail the provisions made by the fire authority in respect of the organisation, fire stations, appliances, equipment, water supplies, training and operational procedures, together with setting strategic objectives of the fire authority for the coming years," Mr Kelly concluded.
The drafting of this plan will take into account recent changes that have taken place affecting future delivery of the fire service in Ireland. These include the changing environment that the fire service works in, together with the implementation of the 2023 Workplace Relations Commission recommendations for the retained fire service.
It is believed that there will be an engagement process, including with the councillors, and that the final draft will go before the council members in Q3/Q4 of 2025 for both consideration and adoption.