THE PROVISION of a new €300,000 fire training centre in Co Clare has moved a step closer with confirmation that Clare County Council has sought tenders for the construction of the facility, three years after a proposal was first submitted.
The new centre will complement existing training facilities at Ennis fire station and will be used by other local authority fire services as well as Shannon airport’s fire and rescue service.
Following internal discussions in late 2006 about the training being provided to the fire service in Co Clare, a proposal was submitted to the Department Local Government for funding to provide a training centre at Ennis fire station to replace and update the arrangements at the county’s fire headquarters.
The proposal comprises a stand-alone building for the administration of courses and include a lecture room and offices, as well as other facilities like changing rooms, showers and a canteen.
The department approved the project in principal in July last year.
Clare’s chief fire officer Arian Kelly said that after studying other fire brigade training centres, planning permission was applied for in February 2009 and granted in April 2009. Mr Kelly also said the new training centre will enhance overall training facilities for the Clare county fire and rescue service.
He said the tendering process had started , after which a submission would go to the department for final approval for funding. “We look forward to the centre’s completion by summer 2010,” he said.
The Government’s fire services capital programme helps support the development and maintenance of firefighting and rescue services.
Clare-based Minister of State Tony Killeen, who was responsible for the fire service in a previous portfolio, said the firefighting capability of the county service would be greatly enhanced through the provision of the new training centre.