Fire operations relate to the resources that Offaly County Council has to respond quickly and efficiently to fires and other emergencies throughout the county. This response consists of a pre-determined turnout of appliances and equipment based on the nature and location of the incident. Turnout involves the mobilisation of the fire fighting crews and the appropriate fire appliances.
The operational fire service in County Offaly is a retained Fire Service i.e. fire fighters carry a pager and are expected to report to a fire station within 5 minutes and go mobile to the incident as is the norm in rural Ireland.
The operational service within Offaly is provided by crew of retained fire fighters reporting to a Retained Station Officer who in turn reports to the Assistant Chief Fire Officer/ Senior Assistant Chief Fire Officer (Operations), who is a professional technically qualified officer. In addition one Senior Fire officer is rostered on call each week to assist in the handling of emergency incidents.
New Equipment & Training
During 2012 as part of the Service's policy of improving the systems and equipment in line with current international best practice it was decided to train specific crew members in all stations to work in flooded areas. This training was carried out with the help of Cork City Fire Brigade who are one of the leaders in this area in Ireland. A Number of Firefighters in each station volunteered for this training and specific equipment for safe operating in water was purchased. This equipment is designed for safe operation in flooded areas/rivers/canals and gives the brigades a limited capability to operate in these areas when there is a danger to life
All personnel received training in the National Standard Operating Guidelines through the year and refresher training in areas such as Breathing Apparatus, First Aid, Road Traffic Collision procedures, Fall Arrest, Pump Operation, Compartment Fire Behaviour, Use of Fire Fighting Foam,
See photo gallery for training photos