This article is from page 4 of the 2008-07-01 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 4 JPG
FORMER fire fighters, current fire fighters and their families gathered with the local community in Killaloe on Friday for the official opening of the new improved fire station.
“It is important that our fire-fight- ers have the best facilities,’ said Minister for the Environment and Local Government John Gormley as he opened the fire station with outgo- ing mayor of Clare Cllr Patricia Mc- Carthy (ind).
“It is of paramount importance that modern up to date facilities be pro- vided for the fire fighters who give so generously of their time to serve and protect the local community,” said
the minister.
He thanked the crew for their dedi- cation, and Cllr McCarthy paid trib- ute to their families who worry about their loved ones while they put their lives at risk for others.
Minister Gormley told those gath- ered for the opening ceremony that he was no stranger to Killaloe as he spent time there as a child on his family’s boat.
He congratulated the county coun- cil on developing a fire station wor- thy of the area.
“This modern facility will provide the necessary additional operational and training administration facilities required by modern dedicated fire Services,” he said.
The existing station was built back in the late 1960s and according to the council’s records it cost £11,308.
Apart from maintenance there had been very litthe work carried out in the station until now.
The new facilities were provided for at a cost of €597,000 for the ex- tension and upgrading of Killaloe Fire Station.
The upgraded facilities include reconfiguring the appliance bay to include a 4WD vehicle, new drying room facilities, watchroom, lecture room, male and female facilities, breathing apparatus maintenance room, resurfacing of the drill yard, security fencing, boundary wall, au- tomatic gate and general refurbish-
ment and decorating works.
“The Killaloe station has seen its work load increase over the years to a point where it now deals with an average of 93 call outs per annum.
“This fire station will continue the tradition of providing a first class service to the town and the hinter- land with skilled fire service per- sonnel who are able to respond to a variety of instances from domestic fires and bog fires to road traffic ac- cidents,” said the minister.
The Killaloe fire officers and ten retained crew provide cover for 170 square kilometres in east Clare and north Tipperary and a dedicated service to approximately 8,000 peo- ple.