2002 - Operational Statistics

Total number of fires attended by brigades	388
False Alarms	146
Miscellaneous calls	134
Oil Spillages	125
Road Traffic Accident attendances	120
TOTAL	913

This continues an increasing trend in the number of Road Traffic Accidents attended by the brigade.

 

Stations / Equipment

• Callan - Approval granted for construction in 2003 of a new fire station.
• Freshford - Full tender documentation has been prepared for a new fire station.
• Fire Engines - Two new vehicles received for Kilkenny City and Urlingford Fire Station, vehicle ordered for Callan Fire Station.
• Emergency Tender - New vehicle received for Kilkenny City Fire Station.

 

All the above is through funding from the Department of Environment and Local Government.

 

Fire Safety

Premises under the Public Dance Hall Act 1935 Licensing Acts, Gaming Lottery Acts 1854-1979, Dangerous Substances Act 1972, Building Control Act 1990 were inspected by fire officers.

A very successful fire safety week was held in October. All fire brigades throughout the County were involved in highlighting the importance of fire safety in the home. Prizes were won in fire safety quizzes organised by the firefighters throughout the county.

 

Initiative

The fire service together with the South Eastern Health Board Ambulance Service in Kilkenny are actively involved in weekly joint training exercises. This initiative has lead to a huge benefit to both services dealing with road traffic accidents. The medical and physical rescue of casualties can be carried out simultaneously by both services which reduces the entrapment time.

 

Other Activities

In December 2002 Kilkenny Fire Service and the South Eastern Ambulance Service collected over €10,000 for the Susan Maher Memorial Fund and St. Mary's Parish Homes for the Elderly. This is the fourth year that the two services have combined to raise funds for local causes.

 

The Fire Crew at Kilkenny Fire Station	Fire Jeep	Fire Engine
Firemen in training exercise		Firemen putting out a fire

 

KILKENNY CIVIL DEFENCE

The year commenced with the Annual Charity Walk on Brandonhill. This year the sponsored donation went to the Friends of the Watergarden, Thomastown.

The land search team was called out by Gardai in the Spa Hill Area of Johnstown, to assist in the search for a missing person in January. David Smith and John Brennan provided transport and communications back-up during the search.

A first-aid survival course was provided for transition year students at Grennan College from January to April.

Combined training of selected volunteers for the national exercise continued during February and March and the County competed in Limerick on 27/28th April. Training in the use of the new U.H.F. radios was carried out by Communications Officer Maura Young.

Crews were trained in the handling of the new rigid inflatable boat on all three sister rivers and there was one search and recovery call-out on the River Suir in May.

Community support for both civic and sporting events was also provided throughout the year ranging from the formal opening of Woodstock Gardens to participation at the Budweiser Derby at the Curragh.

This year was also marked by the return visit of the Isle of Man Volunteers to Kilkenny. The formal blessing and naming of the two rescue boats took place in Inistioge during their visit and the workboat was named the "Oiledan Mhainnin" in their honour. The new rigid inflatable boat was named the "Roisin Dubh".

The facilities of the Callan Area Office provided the base for a recruitment programme to encourage new members and this is being co-ordinated by Jim Byrne and Paddy Denny.

The Annual Christmas exercise was held in Kilkenny this year and included a briefing on new technology by scientific Officer Willie McTiernan and a guided tour of Kilkenny Castle and facilities courtesy of John Burke and the staff at the Castle.

 

EMERGENCY SERVICES-PERFORMANCE INDICATORS:

Time in minutes to mobilise Fire Brigade in part time stations : 4-7 minutes