Mr. Batt O'Keeffe, T.D., Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government today (12th February 2007) announced details of the Fire Services Capital Programme for 2007.

"My Department's Fire Services Capital Programme supports the local fire authorities in the development and maintenance of a quality fire-fighting and rescue service. This year's programme is comprehensive and underlines this Government's continuing commitment to the fire service," he added.

"Clearly, the major investment in the fire service of €35 million which I am announcing here today is testimony to the Government's commitment to underpinning the modernisation change agenda ongoing in the service by providing adequate resources. This commitment to, and increased investment in the fire service, has brought dramatic improvements in the fire service infrastructure nationally. The change programme, which is making good progress, is being implemented in partnership with all levels in the fire service and, I trust, with this continuing co-operation that further significant progress will be made in 2007.

Outlining the details, the Minister said, "I am now giving approval to 9 new fire stations in Kanturk, Dunlavin, Dublin (North Inner City and Tallaght),, Edgeworthstown, Castleblaney, Crossmolina, Athenry and New Ross. Subject to final agreement on scope and design, I hope these projects will be up and running as soon as possible." The programme also includes provision for extensions to fire stations at Shannon, Mallow, Longford, Castlebar and Templemore.

The fire services capital programme includes a €2.5 million provision for upgrading fire service training centres at the O'Brien Institute, (Dublin Fire Brigade Training Centre) and in Sligo, Dundalk and Bray.

The Minister also announced approval to 30 fire authorities to invite tenders for the purchase of a further 31 fire appliances22 (set out in Schedule)
at an estimated cost of €9 million.
"Additional investment in new fire appliances will further accelerate fire authorities' plans to replace older first response vehicles with new up-to-date modern appliances" the Minister stated. "This will significantly impact on the average age of their fire brigade fleets and enhance the capability of the fire services."

The Minister has also set aside €2 million for specialised equipment for the fire services across the country to deal with enhanced communication devices, specialised road traffic accident equipment and decontamination units. Provision of funds for such specialised equipment reflects the ever-changing scope of the fire services. €2.5 million is also being provided for the purchase of incident command units for use at major emergencies.

FIRE SERVICE CAPITAL PROGRAMME 2007
KEY ELEMENTS :

Under the 2007 programme (total capital funding € 35 million), it is proposed to–

· Progress 9 new stations to construction stage (Kanturk, Dunlavin, Alfie Byrne Road (Relocation of the North Strand Road), Tallaght, Edgeworthstown, Castleblaney, Crossmolina, Athenry and New Ross), extend 5 existing stations (Shannon, Mallow, Longford, Castlebar and Templemore) (Total projected cost €17 million) (Details - Schedule 1.1)
· Authorise local authorities to commence tender process for procurement of 31 new fire appliances (€9 million) with a view to delivery in late 2008/ early 2009 (Details - Schedule 2)
· Assist with provision of funding for the development of training centres (€4.5 million) and
· Assist with purchase of incident command units and other specialised equipment (€4.5 million)

Schedule 1 Construction Projects

1.1 New Fire Stations approved under 2007 Programme

1.2 Training Centres

Schedule 2
Allocation of 31 new fire appliances under 2007 Programme

Schedule 3
Other Capital Provisions

FIRE SERVICE CAPITAL PROGRAMME 2007
TABLE1.1

NEW FIRE STATION PROJECTS RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL
Clare County Council : Shannon Extension
Cork County Council : Mallow (HQ) Extension
Kanturk New
Dublin City Council : Alfie Byrne Road (relocation of North Strand station) New
Tallaght New
Galway County Council : Athenry New
Longford County Council : Edgeworthstown New
Longford (HQ) Extension
Mayo County Council : Crossmolina New
Castlebar (HQ) Extension
Monaghan County Council : Castleblaney New
Tipperary (NR) County Council : Templemore Extension
Wicklow County Council : Dunlavin New
Wexford County Council : New Ross New
TABLE 1.2

TRAINING CENTRES
Dublin Fire Brigade Training Centre O Brien Institute Training Centre- Modernisation
Other Fire Training
Centres Sligo, Dundalk, BrayRefurbishment and Equipping

TABLE 1.3

ALLOCATION OF FUNDING FOR NEW FIRE APPLIANCES 2007
Fire AuthorityAppliances
Cork County Council1
Carlow County Council1
Cavan County Council1
Clare County Council1
Donegal County Council1
Galway County Council1
Kerry County Council1
Kildare County Council1
Kilkenny County Council1
Laois County Council1
Leitrim County Council1
Limerick County Council1
Longford County Council1
Louth County Council1
Mayo County Council1
Meath County Council1
Offaly County Council1
Roscommon County Council1
Sligo County Council1
South Tipperary County Council1
North Tipperary County Council1
Waterford County Council1
Westmeath County Council1
Wexford County Council1
Wicklow County Council1
Galway City Council1
Limerick City Council1
Dublin City Council2
Waterford City Council1
Cork City Council1
TOTAL31


TABLE 1.4 PROJECTS IN CONSTRUCTION PHASE AT 31 DEC 2006

Fire Authority - Station

Donegal County Conucil - Dungloe
Galway County Cuncil - An Cloghan
Kerry County Council - Tralee
Kilkenny County Council - Freshford
Laios County Council - Abbeylex
Longford County Council - Granard Drogheda Borough Council - Drogheda
Mayo County Council - westport
Mayo County Council - Gob An Choire
Monaghan County Council - Clones
Offaly County Council - Edenderry
Roscommon County Council - Roscommon
Wexford County Council - Wexford


TABLE 1.5 PROJECTS APPROVED (PRE-CONSTRUCTION PHASE) AT 31 DECEMBER 2006

Carlow County Council - Tullow
Cavan County Council - Belturbet
Clare County Council - Killaloe
Cork County Council - Ballincollig
Cork County Council - Clonakilty
Cork County Council - Cobh
Cork County Council - Macroom
Cork County Council - Millstreet
Cork County Council - Youghal
Donegal County Council - Gweedore
Donegal County Council - Stranorlar
Galway City Council - Galway City HQ
Kerry Council - Kenmare
Kilkenny County Council - Castlecomer
Laois County Council - Portarlington
Laois County Council - Rathdowney
Leitrim County Council - Manorhamilton
Limerick County Council - Kilmallock
Monaghan County Council - Monaghan (HQ
Sligo County Council - Ballymote
South Tipp County Council - Cashel
Waterford County Council - Dungarvan HQ
Waterford City Council - Waterford
Waterford County Council - Tallow
Wicklow County Council - Rathdrum
Wicklow County Council - Baltinglass

OTHER CAPITAL PROVISIONS SPECIALISED EQUIPMENT

INCLUDING ROAD TRAFFIC EQUIPMENT, DECONTAMINATION UNITS

ESTIMATED COST €2 MILLION

Specialised equipment such as enhanced communication devices and specialised road traffic equipment will also be financed. Such funding provisions reflect the changing nature and scope of the fire services. It is also considered prudent to make provision for procurement of decontamination units for the fire service in order to build resilience to deal with potential chemical and biological incidents.


INCIDENT COMMAND UNITS (8)

TO BE HEAD QUARTERED IN EACH OF THE 8 MAJOR EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT REGIONS

ESTIMATED COST €2.5 MILLION

8 incident command units for each of the 8 regions are being approved. Such command units provides essential on-scene control facilities at major incidents