Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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266. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he is satisfied with the procedures and policies in place in Wicklow County Council in relation to the fire service; if he is satisfied that all these policies comply with circulars set down by his Department and relevant legislation; his views on the recent findings of a court in relation to this local authority being found negligent in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47766/13]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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I again extend my deepest sympathies to the families and colleagues of Brian Murray and Mark O’Shaughnessy whose deaths occurred in tragic circumstances in Bray in 2007.

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 and the provision of premises and equipment for use by fire service personnel is a matter for the fire authorities under Section 10 of the Fire Services Act 1981 and 2003.

My Department, through the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management, engages on an on-going basis with fire authorities on the development and implementation of national policy. I published a new national policy for the future direction of fire services in February 2013 titled Keeping Communities Safe (KCS). This is intended to keep fire safety and fire services in Ireland in line with international best practice and to manage fire risk effectively so that the downward trend in the level of fire loss recorded annually continues.

There have been a number of initiatives to assist fire authorities in meeting their statutory responsibilities while also complying with the requirements of the Safety Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005. These include embedding the “safe person” concept for those working in fire services, so that they are appropriately equipped and trained, have procedures and are supervised so that, in so far as is reasonably practicable, their safety at work is ensured. Initiatives include the introduction into fire service operations of the National Incident Command System in 2007; the template for Fire Services Ancillary Safety Statements also from 2007, Fire Service Standard Operational Guidance (SOGs) 2010 – 2013; other operational guidance including The Use of Breathing Apparatus in the Fire Service (2007) as well as associated training material. Occupational Health Systems and Critical Incident Stress Management programmes were also put in place with co-ordination and assistance from the relevant bodies at national level. Developments in this field are on-going and a Fire Services Safety Management System (SMS) is being developed to ensure that occupational health and safety in fire services is fully aligned with local government SMS policy and is based on international best practice in this field.

Three separate investigations were carried out into the Bray fire tragedy. These were conducted by the relevant statutory authorities, the Health and Safety Authority (HSA), An Garda Síochána and Wicklow County Council itself. For the record, Wicklow County Council pleaded guilty to four specific charges in the recent court case arising from the investigations of the Bray fire tragedy. In the course of the trial the original charges were amended and Wicklow County Council pleaded guilty to the revised charges as follows:

- not providing a system of work which effectively ensured that sufficient assistance was available from a second fire tender within a reasonable period either by having a standing instruction (pre-determined attendance) and by failing to have an adequate plan to summon assistance from other brigades so as to ensure so far as reasonably possible that safe levels of resources were applied to fighting fires;

- failing to establish, co-ordinate and maintain an effective system of central control and communication effective to secure timely assessment of response, communication with other brigades and co-ordination of response;

- failing to review the safety statement relating to the work of the Bray fire brigade;

- providing for the use of Bray fire brigade fire fighting apparatus being a compressed air foam system in circumstances where they had not received sufficient training in the use of that system.

I understand from Wicklow County Council that changes have been made since September 2007 reflecting the national initiatives outlined above relating to the content of the above indictments.

On 25 October 2007 the process of closing the Watch Room in Bray Fire Station was completed and its functions transferred to the Eastern Regional Control Centre (ERCC) operated by Dublin Fire Brigade. In addition a standardised list of Wicklow County Fire Service Pre-Determined Attendances (PDAs) became operational on that date.

The Fire Service Ancillary Safety Statement has been revised and updated on a number of occasions between 2008 and 2013. Personnel who use CAFS all receive training from externally accredited instructors.

I am also advised by Wicklow County Council that other improvements in Wicklow County Fire Service since September 2007 include:

- Adoption and application of the National Incident Command System including the provision of training to all personnel;

- Training for and implementation of national Standard Operational Guidance (SOGs);

- Location in Bray Fire Station of 8 drivers who are qualified to drive fire engines under blue light conditions, and 8 personnel trained to Unit 1 standard i.e. capable of taking charge of small incidents;

- Introduction of a formalised system of Pre-Incident Planning;

- Installation of exhaust extraction systems have been installed in all fire stations;

- An increase in headquarters staff numbers from 3 to 6.

- Provision of a range of specialist Training for fire service personnel.