Community Smoke Alarm Scheme To Be Extended Across County Limerick

Under the scheme, Limerick County Fire Service intends to oversee the installation of 1000 smoke alarms in homes across the county by the end of 2008. The initiative, which forms part of the national Fire Service Change Programme, is also aimed at making County Limerick householders more aware of fire safety routines and potential fire hazards.

"Through this scheme vulnerable households are identified to have alarms fitted at no cost to the household", explained Niall McMahon, Assistant Fire Officer.

Commenting on the successful rollout of the scheme in Foynes, Officer McMahon stated, "Foynes fire fighters visited every home, with the exception of those known to have newly installed mains powered alarms, offering to check smoke alarms and replace and install any alarms which may have been faulty or missing."

He continued, "During each visit the fire fighters offered advice on fire safety for those who required it and aided vulnerable members of the community in accessing services to improve the standard of fire safety in their homes. The feedback from homes, which have been visited, has been very positive, with householders praising both the scheme and the fire fighters. Due to the success of the pilot scheme in Foynes it is currently being rolled out to other areas of Limerick County."

To date there has been a positive response to the announced rollout from West Limerick areas, including Athea, Mountcollins, Tournafulla and Strand. In excess of 350 alarms have been distributed to local groups in these areas. Limerick County Fire Service is now hoping that other areas of the county will come forward and avail of the scheme.

According to Mr. McMahon, "Over the coming months we hope, with the assistance of the community sector, to identify vulnerable households with no working smoke alarm. It is intended that each home visited will be fitted with two self-contained 10 year smoke alarms, which are being provided free of charge by the Department of the Environment, Heritage & Local Government."

"All voluntary agencies and community groups in the county are invited to contact Limerick County Council to avail of free smoke alarms for members of their community who would benefit most from the installation of working smoke alarms within their homes. It is hoped that volunteers from each community group shall carry out the installation of alarms", he concluded.

Limerick County Fire Service will provide training for community groups on how to correctly install and advise homeowners on the maintenance of the alarms. Members of the fire service will also oversee the installation of the alarms.

For further information on the Community Smoke Alarm Scheme contact the Community and Enterprise Department of Limerick County Council on 061-496454 or Limerick County Fire & Rescue Service on 061-496270.

-ENDS-

Notes to Editor:
- Niall McMahon, Assistant Fire Officer, Limerick County Fire Service is available for interview and further comment. To arrange please contact Mark Dunphy of Dunphy Public Relations on 086-8534900 or media@dunphypr.com
- Limerick County Fire Service is the body within Limerick County Council tasked with the provision of a Fire and Rescue Service along with Fire Prevention duties to the people of County Limerick. The Service comes under the umbrella of Environment, Emergency Services and Consumer Affairs Directorate which is one of the 6 directorates of the Council.