Report highlights need for modernisation of city fire service
Cork City Council will need to make a significant investment in the development of its fire service physical building infrastructure in the coming years, including both construction of new stations and refurbishment of existing locations.
That was the conclusion in a new report published on Wednesday on the future of the fire service in Cork city which was welcomed by the council.
Called the Fire Cover Review Report, it provides a comprehensive, evidence-based assessment of fire and emergency service provision for Cork city. To undertake the review of fire cover and operational risks, Crowe Ireland, supported by a specialist UK spatial data and consultancy company, Cadcorp, were tasked to analyse a wide range of data and to model how best fire cover can be provided.
The report highlights the need for modernisation and strategic investment in fire service infrastructure to meet emerging needs.
Key findings include the necessity for a new fulltime fire station in the south-west of the city (located between Curaheen and Ballincollig), in addition to existing stations at Anglesea Street and Ballyvolane. The analysis also identifies the requirement for further expansion, recommending a three phased approach to ultimately develop four fully operational stations across the city, with optimal locations to be identified by future modelling validating the needs for future growth in the north-west and city centre areas based on updated input data like updated census data, the delivery of future residential and commercial development. By identifying strengths and addressing systemic challenges, the report offers a blueprint for modernising operations, improving response times, and fostering collaboration.
Following the completion of this Fire Cover Review, a funding application will be submitted for the immediate implementation of some of the recommendations.
Brian Geaney, Assistant Chief Executive and Chairperson of the Fire Review Steering Group, said: “This report marks an important step in the process of modernising the City Council Fire and Emergency response Service to future proof same. Its findings are designed to ensure that these critical services remain equipped to safeguard lives and adapt to evolving risks in an ever-changing landscape.”
The Director of Emergency Management and Climate Action in Cork City Council, David Joyce, said: “This report represents the culmination of a significant quantum of analysis, both spatial and statistical, which has been carried out using Geographic Information System (GIS) and ICT data analytical software analysing emergency information (operational resource data, incident data, callout data) as well as spatial information (including the geometry of the road network and road speed data). Other key inputs to this process included national response performance targets, population and other Central Statistics Office (CSO) Census Data and finally specific hazards eg. SEVESO sites. This resulting Fire Cover Review Report clearly lays out a future development strategy which details the infrastructure investments which need to be delivered in Cork city to meet the expanding needs of our growing city, it’s communities and businesses.”
The Chief Fire Officer David Spillett said: “I am particularly pleased that the report highlights the need for additional stations and infrastructure which will enhance fire service cover and our response capability across the entire city. This enhanced emergency service presence will help meet and future proof the increasing demands upon the emergency services within Cork city and allow us in the Fire service to deliver on our vision of providing an excellent operational service to the public we serve.”