Laois communities to benefit from 'vital' new fire engines 

Two state-of-the-art new fire engines have been delivered in Laois to meet the demands of the local fire service in Portlaoise and Mountmellick. Laois County Fire and Rescue Service held a handover service in Portlaoise Fire Station where Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council, Cllr Barry Walsh spoke about the huge benefit this will have to firefighters and the communities they serve.

The new fire engines are based on Scania chassis, and are built by an Irish company, Sidhean Teo, based in An Spidéal. They have a range of the latest features including advanced active road safety systems, polymer bodywork with integrated water tank, and computerised pump controls.

At a handover ceremony Cllr Walsh officially received the keys to the new appliances from Ms. Maura O’Toole of Sidhean Teo.
The event was attended by firefighters from both Portlaoise and Mountmellick Fire Stations, along with Michael Rainey, Chief Executive of Laois County Council, Simon Walton, Director of Services, Declan Power, Chief Fire Officer and Anthony Tynan, Senior Assistant Chief Fire Officer,  Laois County Fire & Rescue Service.

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Speaking at the ceremony, Cathaoirleach Barry Walsh said: “I am delighted to welcome the delivery of these new appliances to Laois. They will be of huge benefit to our Fire and Rescue staff and, ultimately, to the communities they serve.”
The two appliances were funded by the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management (NDFEM) and will soon be operational in Portlaoise and Mountmellick. CONTINUE READING BELOW PHOTO

From left: John Fenlon, Station officer Mountmellick; Anthony Tynan, SACFO Laois; Declan Power, Chief Fire officer Laois; Maura O’Toole, MD of Sídheán Teo (vehicle builders); Michael Rainey, Chief Executive of Laois County Council; Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council, Barry Walsh, MCC; Simon Walton, Director of Services Laois County Council and James Brown, Station officer Portlaoise at Portlaoise Fire Station for the handing over of two new state-of-the-art fire appliances to Mountmellick and Portlaoise Fire Stations. Picture: Alf Harvey.

Chief Fire Officer Declan Power added: “These appliances will significantly enhance our operational fleet. They are modern, state-of-the-art vehicles designed to meet the demands of a 21st-century fire service. Our crews respond to hundreds of emergency calls in Laois each year, and it is vital that they are equipped with the highest quality technology.”
 
The NDFEM has also allocated funding for an additional fire appliance for Laois County Fire and Rescue Service. The contract has been awarded to Sidhean Teo, and delivery is expected in the coming months.