Fire Prevention (E1201, E1202

restrictions. There was a 48% increase in False Alarm Good Intent Calls – these would include for Automatic Fire Alarm faults in businesses temporarily closed, and outdoor fires which took place during a period when no controlled burning should have been taking place.

Clare County Fire & Rescue Service received accreditation from NSAI to ISO 45001:2018 for the Occupational Health & Safety Management System which superseded the OHSAS 18001 standard. Receipt of the accreditation is a reflection of the high emphasis placed on Health & Safety within Clare County Fire & Rescue Service, and the systems that are in place in the Clare County Council Safety Management System.

In response to COVID-19, Clare County Council Fire & Rescue Service is implementing all the necessary health and safety controls to enable the Fire Service to continue its service to the public in a safe manner. As an essential service, the Fire Service continues to ensure that it’s personnel continue to carry out weekly Drill Night training. Other training courses are considered on an individual basis following training needs analysis and risk assessment.

In early 2020, construction began at Ennis Fire Station on new maintenance facilities for the Fire Service to enhance and improve the current arrangements for the servicing of a fleet of thirty six vehicles and a variety of ancillary equipment. It is expected that this project will be completed in early 2021, with 100% capital funding provided by the Department of Housing Local Government and Heritage.

In August 2020, Clare County Council took delivery of a new Class B Fire Appliance in mid-August costing €450k funded by the Department of Housing Local Government and Heritage.

Fire Prevention (E1201, E1202)

In 2021, the Fire Prevention Section will continue its risk based inspection programme on specific risk areas.

Numbers of Fire Safety Certificate applications for new construction works have decreased by 17% 2020 compared to the same period in 2019.

As part of the move to online services, the national Building Control Management System has been expanded to include for the online submission and assessment of Fire Safety Certificate Applications. This will, in time, remove the necessity for paper based applications, and provide for a more standardised approach to the Fire Safety Certificate process across all local authorities.

Community Fire Safety programmes will continue to be delivered through a number of work streams including the Primary School Fire Safety programme, Fire Safety

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