DFB IN BRIEF

A recap of Dublin Fire Brigade news and events over the past few weeks and months.

LEFT: Firefighters from Dolphin’s Barn fire station gaining access to a portacabin alight in Bluebell before extinguishing it. RIGHT: Hosting the launch of the RSA’s half-year report at HQ at the end of July.

RIGHT: We said goodbye to Assistant Chief Fire Officer John Moody after 38 years of service in August. John was instrumental in the development of our current Eastern Regional Control Centre and is retiring as the head of that centre. We would like to wish John a healthy retirement. LEFT: After 33 years of service, we said goodbye to Firefighter/ Paramedic John Phelan, as he hangs up his boots and headset for the final time. John worked in Tallaght and HQ, with his final years in the Control Centre co-ordinating emergency resources.

LEFT: 8 units and 3 ambulances attended a multiunit residential fire at a high-rise building in Belgard in October, with 9 people rescued and no injuries. ABOVE: Firefighters from HQ extinguishing a car alight in a lane way off Erne Street at the start of August. ABOVE: In October we said farewell to FF/P Greg Mahon, who joined DFB as a retained firefighter at Swords in 2005 before going full time in 2007

ABOVE: Shaking buckets at the Pavilions SC in Swords in October to raise funds for Ronald McDonald House ahead of the charity abseil later in the month. LEFT: Taking advantage of the increased flow from heavy rain in August, student Swift Water Rescue Technicians undergo training at the Wren’s Nest part of the Liffey.

ABOVE: An Advanced Paramedic uses a golf buggy to get to a patient on Newlands Golf Club in August. BELOW: Extinguishing a vehicle fire on the M50 in November. LEFT: Firefighters at a waste fire on Moyne Road, Portmarnock in August. RIGHT: Recruits being given a familiarisation tour of the 23-floor Capital Dock building and its fire safety, firefighting and escape systems as part of the complex buildings training programme.

ABOVE: Responding to a water rescue incident on the East Wall Road in August. ABOVE: Refresher training for our rescue swimmers using the HIAB crane on our emergency tender based at Phibsboro fire station. BELOW: FF/AP Geoff Tracey with his work, A Fresh Coat, as part of the Frontline Emergency Services Art and Photographic Exhibition at the Printworks in Dublin Castle in August.

ABOVE: Helicopter Underwater Escape Training and Personal Survival Techniques training for our Marine Emergency Response Team in November. BELOW: Firefighters from Phibsboro fire station extinguishing a fire at the rear of a premises in Cabra in November. ABOVE: After 40 years of service, we say goodbye to D/O Michael (Mick) Hayes as he retires. Mick was Mobilisation Officer on A Watch and a long-time member of the DFB Pipe Band. Thanks for everything Mick! BELOW: Getting ready to provide any assistance needed at the Liffey Swim in October with help from Civil Defence.

ABOVE: Dolphin’s Barn firefighters were met with this sight when they were called out to an electricity pole on fire in Ballyfermot in November. LEFT: Five units and a District Officer were called to an underground car park fire in Baldoyle in November.

LEFT: The DFB Social Media team were successful again at the 2021 Sockies awards, winning Best Social Media Strategy by a State Body and a joint recognition award for frontline emergency services with the Defence Forces and Coast Guard.

BELOW: Limbering up for 29 October when four firefighters planned to abseil with 96 other people down the 60metre Smithfield Tower in aid of Ronald McDonald House.

ABOVE: A hay barn fire in Kinsealy in September saw four units including a water tanker work through the evening to get it under control. LEFT: Saying farewell to Tallaght-based FF/P Joe Mulligan after 36 years of service. A ceaseless fundraiser for charity, Joe was presented with a scroll by the Lord Mayor in recognition of his efforts. Slán Joe! RIGHT: Earlier this year FF/AP Joe Brady left our ranks to take up a new career challenge, but in August he returned for his ‘final parade’ with his A Watch crew in Donnybrook. Best of luck in your new management role Joe!

LEFT: Firefighters on Finglas D Watch doing their bit to keep their community looking clean and tidy for the Dublin Community Clean Up in September.

ABOVE: Saying farewell to Badge No.1 Vincent Savage in Dun Laoghaire fire station after 36 years of service, mostly with C Watch in Kilbarrack, which included being an EMS instructor. LEFT: It is with great sadness that we learned of the death of retired FF/P Robert Doyle in August. ‘Bobby’ was stationed on B watch in HQ for most of his career and represented DFB in athletics and volleyball at inter-brigade and international level.

LEFT: Launching the Fireworks Awareness Raising Campaign at the Training Centre in September with Minister Heather Humphreys, An Garda and the ISPCA. BELOW: Conducting checks on the two DFB rescue boats moored on the Liffey during Irish Port Safety Week, which ran until 5 November.

RIGHT: Congratulations to our brave team of Firefighter/Paramedics who climbed Carrauntoohil in full PPE wearing Breathing Apparatus sets in less than ideal conditions to raise funds for Sienna Steps. ABOVE: Performing miracles during Swift Water Rescue training in September.

@DubFireBrigade

ABOVE: In September we said farewell to Firefi ghter/ Paramedic Shane McGill after 38 years of service. Shane spent all of his operational career on C Watch in Finglas and since 2000 in Phibsborough. In his fi nal years he held the position of union convenor. Have a long and healthy retirement. RIGHT: A hi-line rescue crew teamed up with Walls Construction to carry out a joint exercise demonstration of a patient experiencing suspension trauma as part of Construction Safety Week in October.

ABOVE: Swords fi refi ghters extinguishing a car on fi re in Portrane in October. BELOW: In October we said farewell to District O cer Dave Kavanagh following almost 40 years of service. Joining DFB in 1982 as a mechanic, he transitioned to a Firefi ghter in 1985 and retires as the ‘D’ watch mobilisation o cer.

RIGHT: On station training on an improved ladder design with updated manual handling characteristics. ABOVE: CFO Keeley is handed the keys to the fi rst of four new Class B Appliances by Noel Howard of HPMP Fire, joined by the Lord Mayor and Mayors of the three other Dublin councils.

LEFT: Six units including a turntable ladder were called to a second-fl oor apartment fi re in the city centre in November. No injuries were reported.

BELOW: Our Marine Emergency Response Team worked with the Irish Air Corps in November as part of refresher training in helicopter operations. ABOVE: We said farewell to Firefi ghter/ Advanced Paramedic Terry Dore at the end of October as he leaves us to take up a position with the HSE. Terry joined DFB in 2001 and has made a huge contribution as a phenomenal educator with an academic profi le to match. Thanks Terry! LEFT: After holding his last ladder drill in Swords Fire Station for his watch at the start of November, the crew presented Station O cer Pete Sherlock with his farewell cake before he takes up his new role in North Strand.

ABOVE: Congratulations to District O cer John McNally and Station O cer Martin McCabe on their graduation as Masters in Environmental Health and Safety from TU Dublin. BELOW: With great sadness we learned of the death of retired fi refi ghter Mal Keenan in September. Mal started and fi nished his career on C Watch at Dolphin’s Barn, and imparted his knowledge and experience to many younger fi refi ghters.