Wicklow has no full-time fire service.

wicklow | miscellaneous | event notice Friday November 17, 2006 18:16 by Blood

Public meeting at Cois Sleibhe Community Centre

I was recently handed this leaflet and thought it might be of interest to your readers.

Public meeting at Cois Sleibhe Community Centre, Southern Cross Road, Bray.
When: Monday 20 November, 8pm.

Speakers: Siobhan Kearney (Stardust relative), Norman Campbell (Fire Safety Regulation Expert), and Carmel McKenna (People before Profit Alliance). You will have the opportunity to have your say!

The Problems

Despite huge economic and population growth, N.Wicklow still lacks a full time fire service and has only a 'retained fire service' part-timers who are no substitute for a full-time professional service.

The N.Wicklow emergency plan has not been up-dated since 1998. According to the Fire Services Act an emergency plan should be up-dated yearly and on public display. Bray and N. Wicklow have not changed a lot since 1998.

The frantic pace of building means inadeqaute regulations certification and management of fire safety features, in defiance of current regulations (1997 Technical Document 'B' 1981 Fire Services Act: 1990 Building Control Act, etc). Fire safety in buildings has effectively been ignored in Ireland since the Stardust disaster, Valentine's Day 1981.

What Do We Want

Full-time fire and emergency service for N.Wicklow.
100% compliance with building and fire regulations.
A proper Fire Safety Certificate system.
Full maintenance and inspection of all hydrants, whose locations must be clearly indicated.
Fire cavity barriers must be a priority in housing to stop the spread of flames, smoke and fumes.
Spot checks/inspections 24hrs a day, 7 days a week, on all places of public assembly and valid fire safety certificates in full public view to be renewed annually.
An emergency plan for the County Council area to be updated annually.