Limerick Fire service ‘can’t rescue large animals’
LIMERICK FIRE and Rescue personnel cannot currently attend to support the rescue of large animals across the city and county, it’s emerged.
At the September meeting of the council, Councillor Elisa O’Donovan asked if this was possible.
But she was told by director of service for national and regional shared services - which administration of the emergency service comes under - Kieran Lehane there are no staff trained in this area.
“Dealing with large animals is a very specialised activity requiring expert training and equipment. This training is not available in Ireland and Limerick Fire Service has no staff trained in this area,” he stated in a written answer.
“In the interest of the safety, health and welfare of fire personnel, Limerick Fire Service does not attend or support the rescue of large animals in Limerick,” Mr Lehane confirmed.
Councillor O’Donovan said in some cases across Limerick, the absence of personnel has left animals to die.
“I attended a rescue of a horse that had fallen into a ditch in Rosbrien and ended up having to be put down as we could not get the horse out of the ditch and mud, and this question came up then. If we had the correct equipment this rescue would have been much easier,” she said.
The British fire service can do this, and Cllr O’Donovan is hoping the same can happen here.