Fire prevention on Ireland’s islands

Residents on Mayo’s islands are to receive comprehensive training in fire prevention and fighting under a Community Safety Programme, in the absence of a fire service and following tragic events in recent years.  Fire extinguishers, smoke alarms and fire blankets are also being distributed. 

Organised by Michelle O’Mahoney, development officer on Clare Island and Tony Shevlin, Senior Assistant Fire Officer, Mayo Fire & Rescue Service, islanders particiated in training sessions on Clare islands and Inis Turk and in the Wesport Fire Station.

 

“I will continue to lobby at national level to ensure that Mayo islands are treated equally in relation to fire services,” remarked Michelle O’Mahoney.

While acknowledged as a “significant step”, Máirtín Ó Mealóid, Cathaoirleach of Comhdháil Oileán na hÉireann/The Federation of Irish Islands, said that fire prevention needed to be addressed in more depth on all of Ireland’s isalnds:

“Any improvement in services on the islands is to be welcomed and distribution of equipment and provision of relevant training is a positive step. There is a need for services on all of our islands, equal to those on the mainland, but on an appropriate scale,” he said.