Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Question 447: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if there is an incident command service in Bray Fire Station, County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40602/08]

Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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The provision of a fire service in its functional area is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under Section 10 of the Fire Services Act 1981 and 2003. Incident command is an integral part of fire service operations and is governed by the provisions of Sections 27 and 28 of the Fire Services Act, 1981 and 2003. It is included in all fire officership training provided by the Fire Services Council and at training courses abroad, and is included in fire officer handbooks.

As part of the Safety and Health Enhancement module of the Fire Services Change Programme, an updated National Incident Command System was developed and training was provided across the country.

Regrettably, I understand that SIPTU has instructed its members not to cooperate with the introduction of the National Incident Command System and that the matter is due to be heard by the Labour Court early in December 2008.

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Question 448: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if there is a standard operation procedure in risk assessment practice in operation in all fire stations; if his attention has been drawn to the concern that an officer may not act if risk assessment is too onerous; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40603/08]

Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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The provision of a fire service in its functional area, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade, the assessment of fire cover needs, the provision of a premises and the making of such other provisions as it considers necessary or desirable, is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under section 10 of the Fire Services Act 1981. The Department's role is one of supporting and assisting local authorities in delivering fire services through the setting of general policy and the provision of capital funding.

I assume that the question refers to risk assessment in the context of safety, health and welfare legislation. Risk assessment is used in multiple contexts including major emergency management by fire services. The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 2005 sets out statutory requirements for risk assessment. As part of the Safety and Health Enhancement module of the Fire Services Change Programme 2005-2007, a new Ancillary Safety Statement Template was developed, in conjunction with the Health and Safety Authority and stakeholders, which included a risk assessment methodology for fixed work locations such as fire stations. Furthermore, as fire authorities respond to incidents anywhere in their functional area, a dynamic risk assessment process is an integral part of the National Incident Command System.