In 2002, the Report of the Review of Fire Safety and Fire Services in Ireland was published by my Department.
The principal recommendations included more focus on fire safety, including the introduction of community fire safety initiatives; the enhancement of fire safety legislation, the adoption of a risk-based approach to determining emergency cover as well as new approaches and structures for major emergency management. In addition, the Report called for continued capital investment to improve infrastructure and further development of safety, health and welfare arrangements.
A great deal has been accomplished in the past decade since publication of the Report and the key recommendations of the Report have been implemented.
Substantial financial resources were provided to local authorities over the last ten years, and have resulted in a quality fire and rescue infrastructure throughout the country. Most of our fire stations have full facilities, the appliance fleet is in very good shape and equipment is generally regarded as top class. Our emergency management arrangements, with the production of a new Framework for Major Emergency Management and the implementation of the Major Emergency Development Programme 2006-2008, are in line with international best practice, and were widely acknowledged to have been fundamental in ensuring effective response to the recent Cork Airport tragedy and during the severe weather emergencies in January and December 2010.
A range of other measures have been introduced in line with recommendations contained in the Review. Fire safety legislation was strengthened in 2003 as recommended in the report, with increased powers for fire prevention officers. A series of excellent initiatives has been developed under a community fire safety programme, including a domestic smoke alarm campaign, and a Primary Schools Programme.
The recommended Risk-based approach was developed through a procurement process and piloted in a number of counties. This is being made available now to other local authorities to ensure service managers have access to appropriate information to enable them to decide on the effective deployment and use of resources and to ensure that an appropriate balance between prevention, protection and response measures is achieved. Health, safety and welfare initiatives have also been progressed, with the preparation of an Ancillary Fire Services Safety Statement, the development of a National Incident Command system and the preparation of a suite of Standard Operational Guidance for the fire services activities. There are comprehensive Occupational Health Systems in the retained fire services, and Critical Incident Stress Management services have been made available to staff in all fire authorities.
Finally, the establishment of the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management in 2009 addressed conclusively the main Farrell Grant Sparks recommendation on revised institutional arrangements at central Government level. The new structures confirm responsibility for local delivery of fire services, while strengthening the national oversight and leadership role appropriately. The National Directorate, which is located in my Department, has taken over the functions of the Fire Services Council, and is an approach in keeping with the desire to reduce new agencies, while providing appropriate political accountability. Given the progress which has been made, and that the current arrangements are working satisfactorily, I have no plans to conduct a new study of fires services in Ireland.