Louth councillor raises concerns over age of fire engines

Cllr John Reilly raised concerns at the Louth County Council March meeting about the age of two fire engines that he says are the main backbone of the Fire Service at the Dundalk station.

According to Cllr Reilly, as it stands, the Fire Station in Dundalk is operating with two Scania fire engines dating from 2005 and 2006, and a hydraulic platform that he says dates from 2004.

The Dundalk-Carlingford councillor told the March meeting that at the recent St Patrick's Day parade, he observed the ages of two fire engines and was very taken aback that they were almost 20 years old.

Cllr Reilly said that there was a 19 year old vehicle performing the Fire Service's main tasks, and having made enquiries, found out that the Council disposed of a 2010 Volvo in the last 18 months. He added that normally the practice was that the oldest vehicle would be replaced first, with 20 years being the life span of a truck, based on his knowledge of having driven a truck all his life.

Replying to Cllr Reilly, Director of Strategic Economic Development, Mr Thomas McEvoy, said that he didn't think the vehicles on the parade were the main response vehicles, and that there were newer ones that are the primary response vehicles that are used by the Fire Service.

He added that the Council had disposed of a number of vehicles and had carried out a review to see what vehicles were of use, and which could be maintained, and that he would follow up with Cllr Reilly on what the situation was with the vehicles that were being used.

In comments to the Dundalk Democrat following the meeting, Cllr Reilly said that "in a town of this size, I can't believe that we have neglected to invest in new machinery which is an essential emergency service", adding that he would be calling for more capital investment to acquire new vehicles in the Dundalk Fire Station.