Our role is changing from response to mitigation, our focus in the future will be to work with the community in the reduction of hazards and prevention of emergency incidents. We will also maintain and enhance our ability to respond to any emergency which may occur.
Cork City Fire Brigade is staffed by well trained, motivated, competent, valued team members using the most modern techniques and equipment. Pro-active, flexible and cost effective in its response to the needs of the community.
We provide fire and emergency response to incidents 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The types of incidents we attend are various and include fires, road traffic accidents, chemical incidents, flooding and other emergencies
The Fire Safety Education Programme - “Safety Team” was launched in November 2006 by the Department of Environment, Heritage, and Local Government. It aimed to reach 53,000 primary students in 3,300 schools across the country on an annual basis.
As part of cross border co-operation between Northern Ireland Fire Brigade (NIFB) and the Fire Service in the Republic of Ireland the programme is being undertaken with the assistance of the NIFB “Safety Team” Pack. The “Safety Team” pack is a colourful age appropriate pack and has been designed by the Community Development Team of the NIFB. Each participating student receives a “Safety Team” pack.
The Programme is delivered in a one hour lesson by Fire Service personnel. The aim of the presentation is to establish a positive link between the community and the Fire Service and as part of their homework the children are required to interact with their families on elements of the programme thus spreading the fire safety message into the wider community.
Topics included in the Programme are as follows:
The dangers of fire and the importance of basic fire prevention – A Home Safety Check Sheet is given to each student.
The importance of owning a sufficient number of properly fitted and regularly tested fire detectors/ alarms.
The importance of a night-time safety routine check.
The importance of escape plans and regular rehearsals.
The correct actions to be taken if in a fire situation including dealing with clothing fires (“Stop, Drop, Roll”) and the correct procedure for calling the emergency services and correct procedure for calling the emergency services.
The dangers and consequences of hoax calls, arson, and of attacks on fire crews.
Cork City Fire Brigade has a revamped an old fire engine which has been retired from service. It has been converted into an educational tool to raise awareness in the community of Fire Safety and of the work of the Fire Service.
The Community Fire Safety vehicle is now being used as part of the primary school education programme which is delivered annually to third class pupils.
The vehicle contains the following:
A fire alarm and a smoke alarm in order to illustrate their importance and how to use them correctly.
Various types of fire extinguishers.
An LCD screen to show educational DVD’s.
Images taken from a road traffic accident in order to highlight the damage done to the vehicles involved.
Images of a major fire.
A fireplace complete with spark guard.
A series of leaflets are also available in a variety of languages including Irish, Polish and Chinese.
Cork City Council and Cork City Fire Brigade organise and support a number of family friendly events throughout the City annually on Bonfire Night.
The Project is managed by the City Council, with the support of Community Wardens, Parks Foremen, RAPID Co-ordinators, the Gardaí, Emergency Services, Foróige, Cork City Partnership, local community groups and other agencies.
Several outdoor events take place in City Council parks, with a range of activities, games, sports, inflatables, face painting, local music etc.,
Each event is designed by the Local Organising Committees in each area, supported by the Councils Bonfire Night Co-ordinator.
Calls in relation to bonfire material should be made to 021 4966512 , but any call regarding a serious fire issue should always be made to 999.
Please visit the Major Emergency Response website for details on Major Emergency Management and Cork City Council's Major Emergency Plan.
Each year the Brigade attends a number of river incidents. The Brigade has developed an extensive body of knowledge through years of experience in dealing with river rescues. Its proximity to the River Lee ensures that rescuers can be at the scene within minutes. However, river rescue is an extremely hazardous activity and at present Cork City Fire Brigade is upgrading its water rescue protocols. It is intended to train personnel up to swift water rescue technician level.
(above) Red Watch Training for water rescues in June 2018.
(above) The Hiab global crane on our Rescue Unit is used to lower Swiftwater Rescue Technicians into to the water with a floating stretcher in order to remove patients to safety
