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Special Message to Access
CardioSystems AED Owners...
The manufacturer
is in the process of notifying all owners of Access products that
all Access automated external defibrillators (AEDs) have been voluntarily
recalled. The recall requires all owners and operators of Access
CardioSystems AEDs to remove them from service immediately. Access
has also ceased support of their product line which means replacement
batteries and electrodes are no longer available. Access CardioSystems
is not expected to manufacture replacement AEDs. Access CardioSystems,
in a correspondence dated November 3, 2004, released the following:
"...the Company (Access CardioSystems) has made a business
decision, effective November 3, 2004, to discontinue manufacturing
and marketing ALL models of its AEDs and to discontinue supporting
its AEDs that are currently in the field.Access CardioSystems also
recommends that all owners/users of their AEDs immediately discontinue
use of and remove from service all (Access) AEDs you have in your
possession. It is your responsibility to equip yourself with AEDs
that meet your medical needs.
The recall comes
from two known defects in Access AEDs. The first is from the potential
for failure of the shock delivery circuit. Access CardioSystems
reports it became aware of a situation involving certain units in
which the device may experience a catastrophic failure of the circuit.
This failure mode is restricted to a specific batch of one device
component. When the potential problem occurs, it is not possible
to deliver additional defibrillation shocks.
The second issue involves
the potential for the AED to turn on unexpectedly. The "on/off"
button may become inoperative after the device turns on unexpectedly.
According to Access, this failure mode is also related to a specific
manufacturer of a specific device component. If this potential problem
occurs, the device may not defibrillate.
If you have questions
about this recall, please contact Access CardioSystems directly
at:
Access CardioSystems
150 Baker Avenue Extension
Concord MA 01742
866-238-3631 (toll-free)
978-371-4985 (voice)
All distributors
of Access AED products are no longer permitted to sell any replacement
parts for these devices. Distributors of Access CardioSystems products
are not authorized to replace or service any components of these
devices.
All
questions about Access CardioSystems and their products must be
referred to the manufacturer.
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Dublin
Fire Brigade Personal Protective Equipment and Clothing Campaign
 
Click
to enlarge posters
The campaign was launched on Monday 13th of October
2003 the start of European Health and Safety Week.
The simple aim is to prevent and reduce accidents which occur through
either incorrect or nonuse of personal protective equipment. In
conjunction with posters safety representatives are visiting each
station and giving an hours lecture focussed on why PPE should be
worn, the number of accidents currently occurring, protective equipment
and clothing available, legalization and duties of employed to themselves
and others.
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Report
of Road Safety In Ireland
Road safety strategy to yield ‘significant economic
benefits’ says report by Peter Bacon
Investment in road safety measures can generate
an 8-fold payback, when the full costs of deaths and injuries are
considered, according to a report* published by economist Peter
Bacon. Commissioned by the National Safety Council, the study marks
the first time an economic assessment and cost benefit analysis
has been conducted in the area of road safety. The report recommends
that priority be assigned to maintaining or accelerating the deployment
of resources required to give effect to the Government strategy
on road safety.
The Strategy - ‘The Road to Safety’ - seeks to
reduce deaths and serious injuries by at least 20% by the year 2002,
to be achieved by halving the incidences of speeding, increasing
seatbelt usage to 85% and reducing night-time (commonly drink-related)
fatalities by 25%.
The report estimates the
cost of implementing the strategy at £120 million, of which
£80 million is accounted for by enforcement-related measures.
The financial benefit associated with a 20% reduction in deaths
and injuries is almost five times that figure, at £536 million.
Once implemented, the yearly cost of maintaining the strategy is
put at £22 million, which, the report says, will net an even
greater return, of £182 million per annum.
In placing an economic
value on lives, the report refers to the many areas of society on
which road accidents impact - the medical and emergency services,
the courts, social welfare and the economy, in terms of lost output.
‘Applying economic analysis
to such a sensitive and ‘human’ issue
as road safety may appear cold and unpalatable, but it is a most
purposeful exercise,’ commented National Safety Council Chief Executive
Pat Costello. ‘This report counters any argument or perception that
road safety programs are a burden on the Exchequer. We know from
other countries, notably Australia, that the opposite is the case.
Now for the first time an independent benchmark sets out the payback
which investment in the Government road safety strategy will yield.
It is substantial and immediate. £420 million within a four-year
period is a significant benefit when translated into the scarce
hospital resources. The financial benefit in the longer term is
greater still.’
‘The report is a most powerful
argument for implementing the Government strategy within the timeframe
put forward,’ he continued. ‘Any delays put in the way of this are
in turn impeding the benefits to society as a whole. The agencies
tasked with executing the Strategy must seize what is a unique opportunity.’
458 people were killed
on Irish roads during 1998. The report estimates the annual cost
of accidents in Ireland at close to £800 million.
*An Economic Assessment and Preliminary Cost Benefit
Analysis of the Government Strategy for Road Safety 1998-2002.
BACON REPORT ON ROAD SAFETY
An Economic Assessment & Preliminary Cost Benefit Analysis of
the Government Strategy for Road Safety 1998-2002
Synopsis
1. The report acknowledges the Government’s Road to Safety program
as an example of the formalized strategic approach to road safety,
witnessed in other jurisdictions such as the UK, Sweden, Finland
and the Netherlands. All of these countries have attained a high
level of performance in relation to road safety.
2. The primary target of the strategy is a reduction
in fatalities. This is recognized as ‘the clearest parameter by
which to measure the development of the road safety situation for
large populations’ and is consistent with the EU Road Safety Programme
1997-2001.
The aims of the strategy are:
• to reduce fatalities by at least 20% on 1997
levels by 2002
• to reduce serious injuries by at least 20% over
the period
Supporting targets are: * to reduce excess speeding
by 50%
* to increase front & rear seatbelt wearing
to 85%
* to reduce night-time fatalities by 25% (commonly
drink related)
3. The study provides estimates of the economic
cost and benefits of the strategy:
The overall conclusion is that the strategy will
give rise to very significant net economic benefits relative to
the additional costs that will be incurred in implementing the strategy.
4. The benefit cost ratio will be 4.5:1 over the
period of implementation (i.e. up to 2002) rising to an annual ratio
of over 8:1 after the strategy has been implemented.
Thus, £117.4 million, as the cost of implementing
the strategy, will give rise to estimated economic benefits of £536
million over the period 1998-2002. Furthermore, £22 million,
the annual cost of maintaining the strategy thereafter, will yield
benefits of around £182 million each year.
5. These calculations are based on the cost of
fatalities and injuries, and do not include any incidental savings
from the decrease in material damage brought about by reductions
in accidents.
6. The report places the estimated cost of a fatality
at £751,500, a serious injury at £153,050, a minor injury
at £16,520 and a ‘damage only’ accident at £3,790
7. There is significant underreporting of accidents
to Gardai, most notably in respect of those involving material damage,
but also in relation to minor injury. Even in respect of serious
injury, it is estimated by the National Roads Authority that as
much as 40% of such injuries may be unreported. Thus any aggregate
estimate of the cost of road accidents based solely on reported
accidents is likely to ‘significantly underestimate the true cost
to the economy and society.’
8. The costs of implementing the strategy are
those relating to
a: non-enforcement matters - educational/informational,
engineering, legislation and research- these total just under £30
million for the period
b: Garda enforcement costs under Operation Lifesaver
aimed at securing greater legal compliance, through breath testing,
on-the-spot fines, etc. A breakdown of the total cost of £81
million is contained in the report.
9. The study recommends that priority be assigned
to accelerating the deployment of resources required to give effect
to the strategy. ‘The estimated benefit cost ratio associated with
the strategy is sufficiently high as to support the commitment of
significant additional resources if it is deemed that the planned
deployment of resources are not sufficient to achieve the objectives
of the strategy.’
10. The report highlight’s deficiencies in the
availability and coverage of [road accident] data for Ireland, citing
‘no reliable estimate for the total number of accidents in Ireland’,
a lack of classification of severity of injuries and a lack of information
regarding costs of treatment of casualties. Recommendations are
made in respect of these deficiencies and the call is made for a
central data bank to be considered.
11. The study calls for ‘greater clarity to be
achieved as regards the impact of actions on accidents and injuries’,
such as that of enforcement efforts on achieving compliance with
speed and seatbelt regulations, and of driver training, education
measures and media campaigns.
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Report
on Fire Safety and Fire Services in Ireland
To download the report go to the Dept
of Environment website
A New Deal For The Fire Service
Mr. Noel Dempsey, T.D., Minister for the Environment and Local Government
today (11 March 2002) announced the publication of the Farrell Grant
Sparks Report which sets out a comprehensive set of recommendations
for the future development of the service.
The Minister said "As I said last week, in the
five years up to and including 2002, over €66 million has been
provided in grants to the service, more than what was provided in
the previous ten years. The 2002 allocation is 230% up on the 1997
level. However, it's 25 years since the last major review of the
service and I believed it was time to stand back and take a strategic
look at the direction the service should take". The FGS Report is
the output of the strategic review of the service which was commissioned
by the Minister early last year and is a clear indication of the
Minister's determination to ensure that the best level of service
is provided in this vital area.
The report, acknowledges the many positive features
of the existing regime and recognizes:
The increased capital spending by Government is
tackling the infrastructure problems in respect of fire stations,
appliance fleet and other equipment
The massive number of fire and non-fire emergency
calls that are currently being responded to satisfactorily and that
there is no reason for public alarm in relation to fire cover and
emergency fire response capability
Ireland's relatively good record in relation to
major fire incidents in multiple occupancy buildings, and
The fire service has a large number of professional
and committed personnel at all levels.
Nonetheless, the Minister said he was also aware of weaknesses of
the current service which spurred him to commission the review.
He said, "with the passage of time and having regard to the vastly
changed circumstances since the current regime was put in place,
it was to be expected that service would be in need of a major overhaul
at this point. The weaknesses identified in the report will have
to be addressed."
The report highlights the fragmented nature of
authority for the service across a wide number of statutory agencies
- the Department of the Environment and Local Government and local
authorities - as a strategic issue to be addressed and maintains
that this structure no longer provides the strong national leadership
which the regime now requires. The report recommends the establishment
of a new national authority for fire and emergency planning services.
New structures are also recommended at local authority
level which will mirror the arrangements at national level. The
report recommends bringing existing local authority fire services
and building control functions together and introducing more accountability
for performance.
The report indicates that International best practice
has moved to the risk based approach to standards of fire cover
and Minister Dempsey agrees that this is the best approach for Ireland.
A shift of the current focus in the fire service from responding
to fires to fire prevention recommended in the report is also recommended.
The community fire safety approach, where all sectors of the community
are alerted and act on fire prevention is recognized internationally
as the best method of reducing fire fatalities in the home. This
will involve operational fire service personnel in fire safety activities.
This concentration and investment in prevention/mitigation, including
the implementation of community fire safety programmes, will harness
fire fighters as frontline ambassadors of the safety message.
The report recommendation to introduce a competency
based approach to recruitment, retention and career progression
including the removal of barriers to promotion inherent in the current
two tier system will, no doubt be welcomed by fire service personnel.
This together with the new competency based training system proposed
will enhance career progression within the fire service. "The new
approach recommended in the report will have many positive benefits
for both full-time and retained (part-time) fire services personnel
throughout the country", said the Minister.
"My first priority will be move towards implementation
of the recommendations in the report which fall under the sole ambit
of my Department and to consider how best to finance them," said
Minister Dempsey. "I will also discuss with my colleagues in Government,
some of whose Departments are affected by the Report's recommendations,
how best to carry those recommendations forward."
"I look forward to full cooperation from staff
in the fire services where the Report recommends a significant shift
in the way in which business is done ? in particular a new interface
with local communities. If the fire service is to prosper and to
realize the potential seen for it in the Report, all stakeholders
will have to press ahead in a genuine spirit of partnership".
Minister Dempsey concluded by saying that he intends
to reappoint the current Fire Services Council for a further six
months to enable these discussions and consultations to proceed
and progress arrangements in relation to the new National Fire Authority.
In parallel with these issues an Action Program will be developed
to drive forward recommendation's.
To download the report go to the Dept
of Environment website.
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When
the Bells go down
(A
portrait of Cork City Fire Brigade)
Written by Judy Travis and Peter Morgan the
book looks at life in Cork City Fire Brigade through the eyes of its
staff by using interviews and recollections of many of the serving
and retired staff. With colour photographs of staff at work on each
page the book is an enjoyable read which will bring knowing nods from
fellow firefighters as personal stories are told.
Price £15 punts through most bookshops.
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Taoiseach
and Ministers launch Government Road Safety Strategy
The Taoiseach, Mr. Bertie Ahern T.D, today (Friday, 21st July)
announced publication of The
Road to Safety, a Government strategy for road safety.
" The loss to society from road accidents is enormous.
Over 26,000 people have died in road accidents in Ireland this century",
the Taoiseach said. " This first ever national road safety strategy
is intended to address this unacceptable social problem urgently
and systematically. Within five years, the Government wants to reduce
deaths and serious injuries from road accidents by at least 20%.
If we succeed - and the Government and the road safety agencies
are determined that we should, 172 lives will be saved in the year
2002 compared to the continuation of present policies".
The Taoiseach continued, " The time has come to
adopt a more proactive and precautionary approach to road safety
in Ireland. The requirements of efficient transport and the convenience
of our social lives cannot be allowed to dominate road safety policy,
as to some extent they have done in the past. We need to relate
road safety to wider issues of health and security, so that the
various restrictions and disciplines imposed by road traffic regulations
are seen as contributing positively to a safer Irish society".
" The Government wants to position Ireland among
the best in the world in relation to road safety", added the Taoiseach.
Mr. Noel Dempsey T. D., Minister for the Environment
and Local Government, said that the lack of road safety, resulting
in fatal and serious injury accidents, has tragically marked the
lives of thousands of Irish families. " This strategy is about coordinating
and intensifying action so that we reduce risks and improve road
safety performance. The strategy sets an ambitious target of reducing
road fatalities in Ireland by 20% within the coming five years.
It specifies a set of policies and measures, to improve human behaviour
on our roads and to make roads and vehicles safer, which will support
the achievement of this target. Attitude surveys show strong public
support in Ireland for intensified action to improve road safety.
That base of public support, together with the strong commitment
of all implementing public agencies and the good directions set
by this strategy, will deliver us the safer road environment we
all want".
Mr. Robert Molloy, T.D., Minister of State at
the Department of the Environment and Local Government with responsibility
for road safety said that major gains in road safety are achievable
in Ireland as elsewhere by a concerted effort in three areas: speeding,
alcohol and seat belt wearing. The strategy would prioritize these
3 areas both by new initiatives and the intensification of existing
instruments and measures. Minister Molloy said that there were pressing
economic as well as human reasons for improving road safety. " At
present the Irish insurance industry pays out one third more on
motor insurance claims than the total of investment by the National
Roads Authority and local authorities in maintaining and improving
the public road network."
In conclusion, the Taoiseach stated that the strategy
will need wide public, political and media support. " The impulse
for its development came late last year from widespread concern,
in which I shared, at the very high level of road accidents then
occurring. We need that concern and support to be maintained so
that, under the coordination of the strategy, all will play their
part in making Ireland’s roads safer".
THE ROAD TO SAFETY : Main specific proposals
TARGETS - by 2002
Primary
to reduce Irish road fatalities by 2002 by a minimum
of 20% on their 1997 level and to achieve a reduction of at least
20% in serious injuries in the same period
Supporting
to reduce the incidence of speeding by 50%
to increase seat belt wearing levels to 85%
to reduce by 25% the number of fatal road accidents occurring during
the hours of darkness
to implement accident reduction measures at more than 400 additional
national road locations
COMMON Policies and Measures
Improving Enforcement
continuation of Operation Lifesaver.
upgrading of Garda and other IT systems relevant to enforcement.
extension of on-the-spot fines to non-wearing of seat belts and
other offences.
development of a penalty points system for driving offences and
concurrent activation of 1994 Road Traffic Act provision requiring
carrying of driving licence.
Harnessing Best Technology
speed cameras (mobile and fixed).
evidential breath testing (provided for in the Road Traffic Act,
1994).
active deployment of ice-detection monitoring system by NRA.
support for the application of developments in the field of telematics
to road safety.
Multi-Agency Co-Operation
All national and local agencies involved in road safety will commit
themselves actively to the implementation and delivery of the Strategy
in a spirit of a good multi-agency cooperation.
Wider Public Ownership
Support to be mobilized from : private citizens, voluntary and other
local interests, local authorities, insurance industry, motor industry,
drinks industry, telecom industry.
SAFER
HUMAN BEHAVIOUR
Speeding
NRA will carry out a comprehensive national speed
survey
three additional mobile detection units
fixed speed cameras will be installed on the N1 national route in
Dublin, Meath and Louth
the option of revising speed limits downwards will be examined.
Alcohol
evidential breath testing will be introduced
random breath testing will be considered
reduction of BAC limit to 50 mg in many EU member states will be
monitored and assessed
Drugs
developments internationally on detection equipment
will be monitored and assessed
Seat Belt Wearing
on the spot fines will be applied
a national survey of seat belt wearing will be carried out
publicity will emphasize the need to wear seat belts on short and
long trips
Education and Information
new resource material for input to the primary
school curriculum
new material and programmes for the post-primary sector
introduction of a written theory test
practical initial training for motorcyclists will be considered
the Driver Instructor Register will seek quality certification
waiting times for driving tests will be reduced
awareness campaigns on speeding, drink driving and seat belt wearing
will be continued
pedestrians, motorcyclists and cyclists will be strategically target
in awareness campaigns
NSC will more actively support initiatives at local authorities
and communities levels.
SAFER
VEHICLES
Ireland will continue to support strongly the
development and introduction of new vehicle safety measures at EU
level and will press for their implementation at the earliest possible
dates.
In particular Ireland will press for the mandatory fitting of anti-lock
brakes to a wider range of vehicles, including all coaches and trucks/trucks
towing trailers, wider application of the requirement to fit speed
limitation devices and better safety-belt standards including more
use of 3-point belts.
A range of new safety related measures will be
implemented at national level - the fitting of spray suppression
devices to heavy goods vehicles, increased use of child restraints,
wider and more effective use of speed limitation devices, and improved
standards for tyres, mirrors, lights and signaling equipment.
Compulsory testing for cars and other vehicles
not covered by the existing schemes will commence during 1999.
National regulations dealing with the construction,
equipment and use of vehicles will be revised to take account of
various technical developments in the field of primary and secondary
safety.
The use of daytime running lights (DRL) will be
examined in more detail, with priority being given to the application
of DRL to motor cycles, as a particularly vulnerable category.
Proposals for enhancing school bus safety will
be brought forward and will be the subject of a pubic consultation
process before finalizing actions.
SAFER
ROADS
Making national roads safer
The recently completed database will be used by NRA to assess the
relative contributions of various physical parameters to accident
occurrence and to identify and target high accident locations. NRA
will then prioritize these locations for countermeasures under one
of the following headings:
Low cost remedial measures - NRA will continue
and expand activity on low cost remedial measures over the 5 years
of this Strategy so as to treat, as a minimum, an additional 400
high accident locations on national roads by 2002.
Traffic calming - NRA have finalized a 5 year
programme for traffic calming on the national network which will
run in parallel with this Strategy and (at least) maintain the present
level of investment in this important road safety measure.
Safety audits - NRA has initiated both Safety
Audit and Safety Check procedures; those techniques will be developed
and extended by NRA throughout the Strategy period.
Making non-national roads safer
The plotting of accident locations on non-national roads is being
improved. In conjunction with NRA, the Local Government Computer
Services Board has recently developed a Map info GIS system to allow
local authorities to undertake the storage, analysis and presentation
of relevant NRA accident data. All local authorities will have the
necessary software by September 1998.
Plots of accident locations will be used by local
authorities to highlight locations where accidents tend to cluster.
NRA will assist local authorities with the design of Low Cost Accident
countermeasures, based on their experience with the national road
network.
Making urban roads safer
Innovative urban road safety engineering solutions will continue
to be promoted by the Department of the Environment and Local Government
throughout the period of this Strategy (in the Dublin region these
will be promoted by DTO). Appropriate monitoring systems in relation
to such measures will also be put in place.
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Guidance
Handbooks For Fire Service Personnel
Mr. Dan Wallace, T.D., Minister of State at the Department of the
Environment and Local Government today, (14 June, 2001) formally
launched the publication by the Fire Services Council of Senior
Officer and Fire Fighter Handbooks for fire service personnel at
a reception in the Custom House. “The Fire Services Council”, the
Minister said “has a pivotal role to play in the delivery, maintenance
and ongoing development of training for the fire service. Since
it was set up in 1983 the Council has provided some 236 training
courses for almost 5,000 participants. Minister Wallace congratulated
the Council for their initiative in embarking on the development
of operational guidance material for the fire service.
“The Handbooks being launched here to-day are
the first of a series of such publications” the Minister indicated,
which define basic principles for fire service work both managerial
and operational. Companion handbooks currently being developed by
the Council are a Junior Officer Handbook, an Instructor Handbook
and others dealing with specific incident types such as Road Traffic
Accidents and Hazardous Materials. The information is compiled and
displayed in a layout which is both easily accessible and informative
and, being in a loose-leaf format, will be easily updated.
The importance and usefulness of the material
provided is that the reader, - be he or she a Firefighter or Chief
Fire Officer – on consulting the particular Handbook, can readily
source the correct information for the particular operational discipline.
The contents of the handbooks can be sourced on the Web in the sector
of the Department of the Environment and Local Government Website
dedicated to the Fire Services Council.
Click here
to see the Senior
Officers Handbook
(Format - Adobe PDF Size:
388KB)
or right click and save target as
Click here
to see the Junior
Officers
Handbook
(Format - Adobe PDF Size: 2,777KB)
or right click and save target as
Click here
to see the
Fire
Fighters Handbook
(Format - Adobe PDF Size: 2,777KB)
or right click and save target as
Don't have Adobe Reader
pdf program? then download
here
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Guide
To Fire Safety In Guest Accommodation
Molloy Gets Across Fire Safety Message At The
Launch Of The Guide To Fire Safety In Guest Accommodation
“Fire safety is an issue for us all” Mr. Robert Molloy, T.D. Minister
of State at the Department of the Environment and Local Government,
said today (12 June 2001) when he launched the Guide to Fire Safety
in Guest Accommodation in liaison with the National Safety Council.
The Minister, in his address, stated that the Guide is the latest
in a series of guidance documents issued by his Department to help
people who have responsibilities under the 1981 Fire Services Act
to discharge their statutory obligations. The new guide, the Minister
stated, is tailored specifically for guest accommodation such as
B&B’s and guesthouses. This guidance was previously contained
in a guide to fire safety in hotels and guesthouses first published
in 1989, however given the differences in scale between hotels and
B&B’s it is now considered prudent and more user friendly to
publish a separate B&B Guide.
“People staying in guest accommodation”, the Minister
said, “are entitled to expect that reasonable precautions are taken
for their safety. The Guide will ensure that a proactive fire safety
management policy is in place to minimize the risk of fire occurring
and to ensure the safety of guests in an emergency”.
Mr. Eddie Shaw, Chairman of the National Safety
Council, welcomed the guide and said that “the National Safety Council
will be actively supporting the practical and common sense recommendations
contained in the guide”. He added that the Council has scheduled
two conferences in the Autumn to complement and support the implementation
of the Guide. Mr. Shaw strongly emphasized the need to focus on
prevention activities. He said that the “insurance industry, which
already indicates its commitment to safety through its contribution
to the NSC budget, is in a position to work with all the other agencies
involved in developing best practice preventative risk management
programmes”.
The Minister, in referring to information supplied
by fire authorities, which indicates that fire deaths to date this
year are double what they were at this time last year, highlighted
the need at this time for getting across the fire safety message.
Of the 33 fatalities to date this year, 31 occurred in the home.
The Minister said that he will be looking to the National Safety
Council for their support in getting the important fire safety message
across. The Minister also said that the consultants Report on the
Strategic Review of Fire Services and Fire Safety in Ireland will
inform future thinking and policy in the fire safety area.
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Minister
Molloy Launches North/south Joint Road Safety Initiative
Mr. Robert Molloy, T.D., Minister of State at the Department of
the Environment and Local Government today (13 June 2001) launched
the fourth north/south joint road safety campaign with Mr. Sam Foster
MLA, Minister of the Environment in Northern Ireland. The campaign
entitled Damage is aimed at encouraging road users to wear their
seat-belts.
“Increased seat belt wearing saves lives”, said
Minister Molloy “and this is a key target area for the Government’s
Road Safety Strategy along with speeding and drink driving.”
“It can be reasonably estimated that seat-belt
wearing by all car users offers a reduction of not less than 40%
in road fatalities and serious injuries” stated the Minister. When
we published our Government Strategy in 1998, it was estimated that
wearing rates in Ireland at 55% may save as many as 40 lives per
year. The Government Strategy sets a target of 85% wearing rate
for front and rear seat belts which when achieved could result in
saving an additional 30 lives each year.
“We have a long way to go to achieve the 85% level,”
said the Minister referring to an early 1999 NRA survey which indicated
that only 57% of front seat passengers wear seat-belts. “The introduction
of on-the-spot fines in mid 1999 for non-wearing of seat belts will,
I hope have had an appreciable effect by the time of the next NRA
survey. Between July 1999 and the end of 2000, a total of 85,000
fines for this offence were imposed. Advertising campaigns such
as this will also contribute towards the achievement of higher seat
belt wearing rates”.
Minister Molloy referred to the work programme
for enhancing North/South cooperation in road safety set out at
the North South Ministerial Council in December 2000. “As part of
the mandate for enhanced cooperation on road safety matters, it
was agreed that the National Safety Council in the South and DOE
(NI) would continue to jointly develop road safety campaigns with
one such campaign envisaged annually”. The Damage campaign arises
from this agreement.
Minister Molloy congratulated both the National
Safety Council and the Department of the Environment (Northern Ireland)
who have worked to develop this campaign, as well as the project
consultants and Axa Insurance for their sponsorship.
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Consultants
appointed to Review Fire Safety And Fire Services In Ireland
Farrell, Grant Sparks Consulting Ltd. To Review
Fire Safety And Fire Services In Ireland - 12 June, 2001
Mr Noel Dempsey, T.D., Minister for the Environment and Local Government
today (12 June 2001) announced that Farrell Grant Sparks Consulting
Ltd. have been commissioned to carry out the Strategic Review of
Fire Safety and Fire Services in Ireland.
Minister Dempsey said “the overriding objective
of the wide-ranging review will be to examine and report on the
arrangements to ensure that people, property and the environment
are protected from fire and other emergency situations, by the provision
of quality fire safety and emergency services. The review will be
finalized in the Autumn and I will be looking to Farrell Grant Sparks’
Report to further inform my thinking and policies on the development
of the future direction of the service”.
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Dempsey
Announces Fire Service Initiatives
Mr. Noel Dempsey, T.D., Minister for the Environment and Local Government,
today (29 January 2001) made a number of important statements about
the fire service.
He announced:-
details of the fire services capital programme
for 2001 - the biggest ever
that he is commissioning a Strategic Review of Fire Services in
Ireland and
that he intends to publish the Licensing of Indoor Events Bill during
the new Dáil session.
Fire Service Capital Programme almost doubled:
The capital allocation for the programme in 2001, is, at £15million,
the highest on record. "This," said the Minister, "is an increase
of £7million on last year's provision and means that capital
investment in the fire service has increased by over 220% on the
corresponding figure for 1997."
Since 1980, up to and including 2000, over £110million
has been invested by the State in the Fire Service capital programme
which has enabled;-
The provision of about 115 new/refurbished fire
station projects
The purchase of over 400 fire appliances and other fire fighting
emergency and rescue equipment and
The ongoing development of a nationwide Computer Aided Mobilisation
Project (C.A.M.P.).
Minister Dempsey continued, "as a result of this sustained investment,
nearly half the fire stations in the country and almost all the
high volume ones, are now less than 20 years old. Today's announcement
will help speed up the fire station replacement/refurbishment programme
and is further evidence of the Government's commitment to the development
and modernization of the fire service."
The Minister went on to say that the 2001 Programme
will allow fire authorities to progress 27 projects through various
stages of development with;-
10 projects to proceed to construction stage,
13 projects to proceed to tender stage and
4 projects being Approved-in-Principle to proceed to the next stage
of development.
(See Appendix A for full breakdown of projects)
The Minister also announced that he has issued
approval to fire authorities to invite tenders for the purchase
of 40 new fire appliances, at a total cost of about £8 million.
This brings to just over 100 the total number of appliances he has
approved in the last four years - a threefold increase on the previous
four years. "This investment", the Minister said, " will enable
fire authorities to continue their policy of replacing older first
response vehicles with more modern new type appliances and thus
significantly reduce the average age of their fire brigade fleets."
(See Appendix B for distribution of the 40 appliances
amongst fire authorities).
Strategic
Review of Fire Services:
There have been many positive developments in the fire service over
the past 20/25 years, particularly in increased capital investment,
training and fire safety (see Appendix C for further details). Notwithstanding
these improvements the Minister noted there are many factors pointing
to the need for a strategic review of the service at this time.
These include,
the changing role of the service
the changing economic and social circumstances in which the service
operates resulting in recruitment and retention difficulties particularly
in the retained service and
other factors such as the change agenda in the public service.
"In the light of these issues", said the Minister, " I believe it
is timely to commission a wide ranging management review of the
fire service." The overriding objective of the review, which will
be carried out by independent consultants, will be to examine and
report on the arrangements to ensure that people, property and the
environment are protected from fire and other emergency situations,
by the provision of quality fire safety and emergency services.
The consultant's report will help inform the development of policy
for the future direction of the service.
Proposals for the carrying out of the review will
be sought as soon as possible.
To proposal or to view the full terms of reference go to Farrell
Grant Sparks website
Legislative Framework:
The Minister also confirmed that he will publish the Licensing of
Indoor Events Bill before the end of the new Dáil session.
The purpose of this Bill is to make provision
for a new system of licensing certain indoor entertainment events
and to make some miscellaneous amendments to the Fire Services Act,
1981 to resolve a number of difficulties and make better provision
for enforcement.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
APPENDIX A
Fire Stations Capital Programme for 2001
Fire Stations to proceed
to construction stage
Arklow
Ballaghdereen
Birr
Carlow H.Q.
Falcarragh
Fermoy
Letterkenny H.Q.
Portlaoise H.Q.
Scarrif
Skibbereen
Fire Stations/Training
Centre to be progressed as far as tender stage
Athlone Training Centre Improvements
Blessington
Callan
Carndonagh
Cootehill
Donegal Town
Ferbane Improvements
Freshford
Granard
Kinsale
Mohill extension
Roscommon H.Q.
Tralee Extension
Fire Station Projects to be Approved-in-Principle
Abbeyfeale Drill Tower
Cappamore Drill Tower
Kanturk extension
Kilmallock
APPENDIX B
Fire Appliance Proposals to Proceed to Tender in 2001
No. of appliances Fire
Authority
1 Carlow Co. Co.
2 Cavan Co. Cl.
1 Clare Co. Cl.
2 Cork Co. Cl.
2 Donegal Co. Cl.
1 Galway Co. Cl.
2 Kerry Co. Cl.
1 Kildare Co. Cl.
1 Kilkenny Co. Cl.
1 Laois Co. Cl.
1 Leitrim Co. Cl.
1 Limerick Co. Cl.
1 Longford Co. Cl.
1 Louth Co. Cl. (incl. UDCs)
2 Mayo Co. Cl.
1 Meath Co. Cl.
1 Monaghan Co. Cl.
1 Offaly Co. Cl.
1 Roscommon Co. Cl.
1 Sligo Co. Cl.
2 Tipp (NR) Co. Cl.
1 Tipp (SR) Co. Cl.
1 Waterford Co. Cl.
1 Westmeath Co. Cl.
1 Wexford Co. Cl.
2 Wicklow Co. Cl.
1 Cork Corporation
4 Dublin Corporation
1 Limerick Corporation
1 Waterford Corporation
TOTAL 40
APPENDIX C
Fire Service Improvements in the last 20 years
Capital Investment:
Over £110 million has been provided from State funds to finance
work on:-
Over 115 new or reconstructed fire station projects,
the purchase of almost 400 fire appliances and a wide range of emergency
equipment
major improvements in telecommunications and emergency equipment.
Staffing:
As regards staffing, there were about 30 professional
posts in the local fire service prior to 1982, whereas now there
are almost 130 such posts, with a greatly increased emphasis on
fire prevention and fire safety.
Legislation:
The Fire Services Act, 1981 strengthened the powers
of the fire authorities to enforce fire safety.
Regulations made under the Act in 1985 make the locking of exits
and blocking of escape routes from places of assembly a specific
offence.
Building Regulations made in December, 1991 came into effect in
June, 1992. These Regulations set out the requirements, including
fire safety requirements, to be met in the design and construction
of new buildings and material changes in existing buildings. With
the exception of housing, a fire safety certificate is now required
for new buildings, extensions, and material alterations and changes
of use. In December, 1997, consolidated Building Regulations and
Building Control Regulations were made. These Regulations came into
operation on 1 July 1998.
The Planning and Development Act, 2000 has provided for a licensing
system by the local authorities for outdoor events/pop concerts.
A Licensing of Indoor Events Bill, to be published during the forthcoming
Dail session, will provide for a licensing system by local authorities
for indoor events and will provide for the amendment/strengthening
of the enforcement/prosecution powers of fire authorities.
Fire Safety Guidelines:
A series of Codes of Practice and Guidelines have
been published by the Department providing fire safety advice for
various classes of premises such as places of assembly, hotels,
indoor concerts, guesthouses, flats and apartments, nursing homes,
hostels and preschools.
Operational guidance covering training needs, the use of breathing
apparatus, etc. have also issued to fire authorities.
Work is continuing in the Department on the preparation of further
advice and guidance. Updated Guidelines for Guesthouses/Bed and
Breakfast accommodation is currently being finalized for publication
and work is underway on a Code of Practice for Marquees.
The Planning and Development Act, 2000 gives statutory recognition
to Codes of Practice for outdoor events. Local authorities are required
to have regard to the codes of practice when considering applications
for outdoor events licences and may attach conditions requiring
compliance with such codes. The Licensing of Indoor Events Bill
will provide in the same regard for indoor events.
Regional Mobilization and Communications Infrastructure:
In order to keep abreast of technological developments
and other changes affecting emergency calls for the fire service,
fire authorities, in conjunction with the Department of the Environment
and Local Government are developing a new computer based call-out,
mobilization and communication system (C.A.M.P.) which will cover
the entire country. The project will be completed in 2002.
The 3 Regional Control Centres, based in Limerick (Munster Region),
Dublin (East Region) and Castlebar (West Region), will provide fire
authorities with an efficient and reliable mobilisation and communication
system.
The Limerick Centre is already in operation and services most of
Munster at this stage.
The Dublin Centre is also in operation catering for the Dublin area
and Counties Laois, Meath and Wexford via an interim system. It
is intended to bring the remainder of Leinster and Counties Cavan
and Monaghan into the system on a phased basis.
The Centre in Castlebar which will serve Connaught and County Donegal
is in the final stages of being fitted out at present.
Training:
The fire service has been totally turned around
by the levels of training undertaken since Stardust, principally
due to the efforts of the Fire Services Council (FSC}, who used
cascade training i.e. train the trainers approach.
Since its establishment in 1983, the Council has held over 200 training
courses at central level for over 4,000 local fire service officer
personnel. This highly focused training supplements the training
carried out locally by fire authorities and ensures that fire service
personnel are kept fully up to date with new technological developments
in the area of fire service equipment and are skilled to deal with
the changing and evolving environment in which they operate. Fire
service personnel must be capable of responding to, in addition
to fires, a wide range of non-fire call outs such as road traffic
accidents, hazardous materials accidents, water rescue etc.
At firefighter level, practically all firefighters are now Breathing
Apparatus wearers, with routine refresher training provided. All
new recruits follow very good induction training programmes prepared
by the FSC.
There has been a significant provision of training facilities on
a regional basis, including Dublin's O'Brien Institute, Clonmel,
Athlone, Sligo, Dundalk, Bray, as well as county based and local
on-station facilities.
Long Service Awards for the Fire Service:
On 30th November, 1992 a scheme of awards to fire
personnel for long service was inaugurated. Those with 20 years
service receive a medal and a certificate signed by the Minister.
Those with 30 years service receive a special emblem in the form
of a flame together with a certificate signed by the Minister. To
date a total of 2000 awards have been presented to fire personnel
in the 37 fire authorities.
A new 10 year awards scheme to be operated at local level was recently
approved by the Minister.
Fire Safety Awareness:
The National Safety Council, established in 1988,
promotes public awareness in relation to fire safety, as well as
road safety.
Emergency Planning:
All the major local authorities have developed
plans to deal with major emergencies and the Department provides
extensive advice and assistance to the authorities on this matter
on an ongoing basis.
Back to the top ...
Marine
Emergency Service and Dublin Fire Brigade Join Forces in New Offshore
Firefighting Team
Response
to Threats of Pollution by Chemical or Hazardous Goods
(The
Irish Coastguard formerly IMES is now the organization responsible
for coordinating and sanctioning all groups involved in Marine
and inland water rescue)
Sunday
5 December 1999
Dr
Michael Woods, TD, Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources,
today announced that the Irish Marine Emergency Service (IMES) of
his Department and the Dublin Fire Brigade will join forces to provide
a new Emergency Response Team for firefighting on vessels at sea
and to respond to incidents involving vessels carrying chemical
or hazardous goods.
Dr
Woods said, "fires on board vessels can be a major threat to life
and are the type of incident most feared by seafarers. Under a new
liaison agreement a Dublin Fire Brigade Emergency Response Team
has been established as a declared facility to assist IMES in marine
emergency incidents where firefighting on vessels at sea is required.
The new team will also be a central part of rapid response to incidents
or threats of incidents of pollution by chemical or hazardous material
at sea."
The
Minister said that teams of 10 firefighters will be transported
on the IMES Rescue Helicopter based at Dublin Airport. The helicopter
will transport the teams from the Fire Brigade Training Centre at
Marino or from the IMES helicopter base at Dublin Airport. Back
up teams of 10 firefighters can be airlifted to assist the first
team. IMES is also putting in place arrangements for the transport
of firefighters by sea.
The
Minister said that the Government is ensuring that the very best
resources are in place to respond to all eventualities in marine
emergency situations. He stressed that the IMES maritime expertise
and state-of-the-art emergency response equipment combined with
the professional skills of full time firefighters is a vital enhancement
of Ireland’s ability to protect life at sea, the marine environment
and our valuable shoreline amenities", "The East Coast IMES Marine
Emergency Helicopter, a Sikorsky S61N provides a 24 hour service,
365 days of the year. It is one of the most highly specified marine
emergency helicopters in the world and can transport fully equipped
fire fighting crews and all their equipment", he said. "The Fire
Brigade’s training centre at Marino now incorporates a realistic
steel mock up of a ship, provided by my Department, so that fire-fighters
can train for the on board conditions and tight spaces they will
encounter as part of a marine emergency response operation",
Dr
Woods explained that the IMES Marine Rescue Co-ordination Centre
(MRCC) in Leeson Lane, Dublin, holds detailed databases on chemicals
and their associated hazards to people and to the environment. It
also has state-of-the-art computer systems which can model surface
chemical spillage's or gas clouds. "A combination of my Department’s
knowledge of bulk transport of chemicals or hazardous goods by sea
and the Fire Brigade’s professional experience in dealing with the
wide range of chemicals carried in bulk or in packages is the best
response mechanism to cover all eventualities", he said.
The
new response team has already had a dry run when Dublin Fire Brigade
Firefighters were airlifted to the Irish Ferries vessel MV Isle
of Inishmore by the Dublin Rescue Helicopter under the Coordination
of MRCC Dublin during "Exercise Firelink" last month. "Firelink"
were the largest ever Ireland-UK joint emergency maneuver in the
Irish Sea and involved the Marine Rescue Coordination Centres (MRCC)
in Dublin and Holyhead the IMES Dublin Rescue Helicopter, the RAF,
UK Coastguard, Dublin and North Wales Fire Brigades , Welsh Ambulance
and Police services and Irish Ferries responding to a fire on the
passenger ferry. "The Fire Brigade Response Team will be involved
in future manoeuvres to exercise with the IMES crews". said Dr Woods.
The Minister
emphasized that his Department is responsible for response to all
marine emergencies including search and rescue and incidents of
pollution. "The management of this responsibility rests with IMES.
They coordinate and deploy their own helicopters, Coastal Units
and rescue boats and the various vessels and aircraft declared to
IMES from the RNLI, Air Corps, Naval Service, Community Inshore
Rescue Service and others in Marine Emergency Responses", he said.
"I want to welcome Dublin Fire Brigade on board as an essential
new member of Ireland's world class Marine Emergency Response Team",
he added.
For
further information contact:
Denis
Maher
Department
of the Marine and Natural Resources
Phone:
(01)
6199200/6621606 (dir),
087
565927,
Fax:
(01)
6766161
press_office@marine.irlgov.ie
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