Section 11: Operational Roles and Procedures

Section 11: Operational Roles and Procedures

Fire Services were formed to attend at incidents involving fires.  However, the role of Fire Services has expanded considerably over the years.  Section 25 of the Fire Services Acts 1981 and 2003 empowers Fire Authorities to attend emergency incidents other than those involving fires.  Section 25 of the Fire Services Acts 1981 and 2003 states -

"A Fire Authority may carry out or assist in any operations of an emergency nature, whether or not a risk of fire is involved, and a Fire Authority may accordingly make such provision for the rescue or safeguarding of persons and protection of property as it considered necessary for the purposes of that function."

Fire Authorities (Emergency Operations) Regulations 1987 (S.I. 210 of 1997) provide for the appointment of officers by fire authorities, to have charge of and be in control of emergency operations, other than at fire emergencies, and for the vesting of charge and control where those officers are not available to exercise control.  The Fire Services Acts 1981 and 2003 provides for control at fire emergency incidents.

Read more in Section 11 - Fire service operational roles and procedures