LIMERICK COUNTY Fire and Rescue Service has become the first fire authority in the State to be presented with a certificate awarded for achieving the best international standards in health and safety.
The certification verifies that all the training, equipment and procedures across the service meet best international standards.
Jan O’Sullivan TD, Minister of State at the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government, made the presentation at a ceremony in Foynes Fire Station yesterday, where two new water tankers were also handed over to the local fire service fleet.
“The safety and management awards we are celebrating here today are another step in improving the overall standard of our safety performance and provide both service providers and the public with independent assurance of a high-quality service. I would like to congratulate all involved in Limerick County Council on this achievement,” Ms O’Sullivan said.
The safety standard was published by the National Standards Authority of Ireland in 2007 and is held by about 16,000 certified organisations in more than 80 countries.
The standard sets out a preventive and proactive approach to identifying workplace hazards and assessing and controlling risk.
There are 72 retained firefighters operating out of six stations across Co Limerick.
Carmel Kirby, chief fire officer of Limerick County Fire and Rescue Services, said the service was constantly facing new challenges.
“I look forward to continuing our service to the highest possible standard,” she said.
“We face new challenges in the fire service regularly and we will continue to plan and further upskill ourselves to deal with those,” Ms Kirby added.
Yesterday’s certificate presentation was followed by the official delivery of two new water carriers costing a total of €370,000 and funded by the Department of the Environment.
The vehicles will be used primarily for the provision of fire-fighting water supply.