Laois firefighters responded to record number of emergencies last year

Laois County Fire & Rescue Service recorded its highest number of incidents on record last year, with firefighters responding to over 1,000 emergencies. 

Across the eight fire services in Laois, firefighters responded to 1,036 emergency incidents in 2025. Of this figure, 299 were fires, 571 were special service incidents and 166 were false alarms.

According to the Chief Executive's Report from Laois County Council, this is the highest number of incidents on record and the first year that the fire service has been mobilised to over 1,000 incidents.

The report states that the total turn-outs amounted to 1,440 across the network of fire stations in Laois.

Of the eight fire stations in Laois, Portlaoise was by far the busiest with 429 turn-outs. Mountmellick followed in second place with 206. 

Stradbally Fire Station, which is currently awaiting the construction of its new building, recorded 190 turn-outs last year. Despite its temporary location at the old civil defence building at the junction of Main Street and the Abbeyleix Road since last January, it is one of the busiest stations in the county.

Portarlington was not far behind with 188, then Mountrath with 132, Abbeyleix with 120, Durrow with 89, and Rathdowney with 86. 

As the demand has increased for fire and rescue services in Laois, a recruitment campaign for retained firefighters has been ongoing for all stations in the county. 

Director of Services at Laois County Council, Simon Walton, said at the recent meeting of the council on Monday, January 26 that there are currently 97 retained firefighters in Laois and they aim to get this figure up to 100. He said that the remaining 7 positions are hoped to be filled in the coming months. 

In December 2025, Portlaoise and Mountmellick received two new Class B Fire Appliances which cost €975,000. The vehicles are now on the go in Portlaoise and Mountmellick.

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The vehicles were 100% funded by the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management who allocated another Class B Fire Appliance for the county at the end of December. 

The appliance will cost €470,000 and is expected to be delivered in the first half of 2027.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme