Fire Services
Mission Statement
To provide and maintain an efficient and effective operational fire service, promote awareness of fire safety and improve fire safety standards in buildings.
The Fire Authority
The Functional Area of the Fire Authority in the case of Wexford County Council is the administrative County of Wexford as defined in the Local Government Act.
The organisation comprises permanent technical and administrative staff and retained fire brigade personnel.
The five retained fire brigades are located in the towns of Wexford, Gorey, Enniscorthy, New Ross and Bunclody. Each brigade is under the command of a Station Officer to whom a Sub-Station Officer and fire fighters report.
Calling the Fire Brigade
All requests for assistance are directed via the 999/112 Telecom system to the East Regional Control Centre (ERCC) in Tara Street, Dublin. The ERCC uses a predetermined response system to alert the nearest brigade to any incident.
From 1st January 2009 the following fees will apply:
Domestic Incidents/Call-outs :
Charge per Incident/Call-out €350.00
Non-Domestic Incidents/Call-outs :
Charge per hour per appliance €700.00
Fire Brigade service charges are normally covered by property/motor insurance. You are advised to check with your insurance company. You may be able to include the cost of Fire Brigade assistance in any claim you make. In some circumstances a waiver may be granted.
A waiver form may be obtained from the office by phoning 053 9176585.
Fire Safety
The Fire Services Acts, 1981 and 2003 is the primary legislation governing fire safety. Under this act, it is the duty of every person having control over a premises, to ensure the safety of persons on the premises. It is also the duty of every person being on such a premises, to conduct himself in such a way as to ensure no one else is exposed to danger from fire as a consequence of his actions.
Where the Fire Authority considers that a premises poses or is likely to pose a serious and immediate risk to the safety of persons on such premises, it may serve on the owner or occupier a Closure Notice directing that all activities cease and the premises vacated until such time as the fire authority is satisfied that all the necessary fire safety measures have been taken.
Dangerous Substances
Applications for licenses under the Dangerous Substances Regulations are also made to the Fire Authority. The applicant may appeal the decision of the Fire Authority to the Health and Safety Authority.
Building Control – Part B, Fire Safety
All areas in relation to Part B, Fire Safety of the Building Control system, are the function of Fire Services. The primary function of the section is the processing of Fire Safety Certificate applications. An application is required in relation to all developments and works with the exception of dwelling houses, certain farm buildings and exempted works. The granting of a Certificate, with or without conditions, means that if the development is completed in accordance with the granted Certificate it will comply with the Building Regulations.
It is an offence for a person to carry out works in the absence of a Fire Safety Certificate or in contravention of the Building Regulations. Fire Services are active in enforcement and prosecution proceedings under the Building Control legislation.
Community Fire Safety
The promotion of fire safety is high on the agenda in the Fire Service. A comprehensive Community Fire Safety program is regularly updated and fire safety talks are given to public groups such as scouts, parents associations, schools, etc. Fire Safety messages are also arranged on the radio and in the press during Fire Safety Week, Halloween and Christmas.
Contacting Fire Service
The Fire Brigade can only be contacted by dialing 999/112.
Fire Service Head Quarters can be contacted at:
Wexford County Fire Service HQ, Clonard Avenue, Wexford.
Telephone: 053-91 76585, 91 76586 or 91 76699
Fax: 053-91 84197
mailto:firedept@wexfordcoco.ie
