New piece of 'vital' equipment secured for County Kilkenny fire station

Kilkenny County Council's Fire and Rescue Service has announced the introduction of a new Command Support Unit, which was brought into service to enhance the operational capabilities of the Fire Service across the county.

The state-of-the-art vehicle, based at Castlecomer Fire Station, provides Incident Commanders with a modern, safe, and efficient facility to manage emergency incidents.

The unit is equipped with advanced technology, including photovoltaic panels on the roof and onboard battery systems, which supply power to onboard IT and communications systems. This sustainable energy solution significantly reduces the need to run the vehicle’s diesel engine to power these systems, lowering emissions and supporting greener emergency response practices.

READ NEXT: 'Common sense must prevail' - Kilkenny concern over 'deeply unfair' blister pack costs 

In addition, the vehicle is HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil) fuel ready, further reducing its carbon footprint and aligning with Kilkenny Fire & Rescue Service’s commitment to sustainability.

"This new Command Support Unit represents a significant advancement in our ability to manage complex incidents safely and effectively," commented John Collins, Chief Fire Officer, Kilkenny County Council’s Fire & Rescue Service.

"The inclusion of renewable energy technology, onboard battery systems, and HVO fuel readiness ensures we can operate efficiently and sustainably, reducing reliance on the vehicle’s engine and providing our Incident Commanders with the tools and environment they need to make critical decisions under pressure.

The appliance was manufactured by Primo Coachworks, located in Ferbane, County Offaly, and funded by the National Directorate for Fire & Emergency Management.

Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny County Council, Cllr Mary Hilda Cavanagh added, "Kilkenny County Council is committed to supporting our Fire & Rescue Service in delivering the highest level of safety and emergency response. This new Command Support Unit, with its innovative energy solutions and HVO capability, is a vital resource that will strengthen our ability to protect lives and property across the county.

The official commissioning of the Command Support Unit took place on Friday, December 12. The keys for the vehicle were formally handed over by the Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny County Council Cllr. Mary Hilda Cavanagh to Station Officer Eddie Brennan and his crew members of Castlecomer Fire Brigade.

FOR MORE NORTH KILKENNY NEWS, CLICK HERE