Firefighter training hub for Nenagh

Nenagh is to become a national training centre for specialised firefighting services.

The local fire station is to join those of Monaghan town and Hacketstown in Co Carlow as one of three development hubs serving firefighters from around the country. Nenagh will differ from the national training centre in Clonmel in that it will facilitate instruction in responding to hazardous chemicals and traffic-related incidents.

The addition is part of the multimillion-euro Fire Services Capital Programme announced by Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage James Browne last month. It included a €3 million allocation for a new fire station in Borrisokane and a €2 million upgrade of the station in Roscrea.

Tipperary Fire Service also received two new appliances in the last week. The May meeting of Tipperary Co Council heard that the overall investment in the county services amounts to around €14 million.

New Chief Fire Officer John Shinnors said recruit firefighters would be able to do all of their training in Nenagh. Responding to Cllr Michael O’Meara, he said it is likely that the new station in Borrisokane will be completed by the end of next year.

NEWPORT STATION

Mr Shinnors outlined the level of success the council had with recently trying to recruit additional firefighters for Newport station. There are presently just four firefighters attached to the station, well short of the minimum 12 sought following the national industrial action in 2023. Mr Shinnors said interviews would be held soon, though it would most likely be the end of the year before the council knows whether or not it will be viable to keep the Newport station open.

Director of Services Brian Beck said there are around 140 firefighters in Tipperary and he described them as “hugely important assets”.

The operational fire service is delivered through 12 stations with part-time firefighters, working on a week-on, week-off system. The service responds to between 1,700 and 1,900 incidents every year.

Cllr Shane Lee mentioned accident frequency on the M7 outside Roscrea. He said there have been “numerous accidents on that section of road” and asked if there is “joined-up thinking” between the council and Transport Infrastructure Ireland.

Director of Services Brian Beck said Tipperary Fire Service responds to accidents on the motorway and the council’s roads section engages with TII. There are a number of locations where accidents are occurring; unfortunately, a lot of accidents are due to poor driving habits, he said.