Emergency Services

Local authorities, together with European partners, may run a programme to increase fire safety awareness among second level pupils.

Local authorities may provide smoke alarms to vulnerable and older residents to install in their homes.

Dangerous Substances Regional Offices regulate the storage of petrol, kerosene, diesel and other flammable liquids to ensure they are stored safely and do not cause a fire, safety, public health or environmental risk.

Local authorities run fire station open days and visit schools to raise awareness of the fire and emergency service. These visits also educate pupils about fire safety and prevention in their homes, schools and community.

Local authorities run public awareness campaigns on the use of smoke alarms, preparing escape route plans and the safe use of electrical equipment to prevent fires.

Local authorities may take action against an owner or occupier of buildings or land that are potentially dangerous or may cause a risk in the event of a fire.

Local authorities prepare guidelines for property owners and occupiers on fire safety standards including identifying fire safety precautions, maintaining training records and inspecting fire safety active systems and first aid equipment.

Local authorities, together with the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, run themed events during National Fire Safety Week. The events aim to raise awareness about fire safety and prevention in the home and community.

Local authorities run a programme to teach third class primary school children about fire safety in the home and community, and how to protect their families and homes from fires.

Civil Defence may provide first aid and safety boat assistance at local authority, charity and not for profit community events.

Civil Defence, together with the Principal Response Agencies, may respond to emergencies such as severe weather events and pandemics, and help transport members of the public in emergency situations.

Civil Defence provides first aid training to community and voluntary organisations and schools to teach them lifesaving skills.

Civil Defence responds to medical emergencies where specially trained volunteers attend to people and transfer them to hospital or medical appointments to support the Health Service Executive.

Civil Defence, together with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), monitors radiation levels. It does this by taking annual readings from soil and vegetation and giving them to the EPA.

Civil Defence provides search and rescue assistance to An Garda Síochána (national police) to help find missing people.

Civil Defence may provide information and advice on how to become a Civil Defence volunteer, the duties of volunteers and the training needed.

Local authorities provides reports and information on civil defence to government departments and other agencies.

Local authorities collect civil defence data and give it to relevant agencies.

You must apply to the appropriate Dangerous Substances Regional Office for a licence if you wish to store flammable liquids and fuels such as petrol, kerosene or diesel for sale or supply to members of the public, commercial businesses or for your own personal use.

Local authorities, together with the Department of Justice, assess applications to store or display explosives such as ammunition and fireworks, and may grant or refuse a licence based on their assessment.

You must apply to the District Court for a public premises licence if you want to operate a public house, hotel, restaurant or dance hall, or operate gaming or lottery activities and notify your local authority about your application. Local authorities may inspect the premises to advise the Court about licence applications.

You must apply to the local authority for a Revised Fire Safety Certificate if you are changing the design or works which may alter your original Fire Safety Certificate.

Local authorities maintain a register of explosive stores and registered premises.

Owners of small arms ammunition or fireworks stores who keep explosives in small quantities must register their premises with the local authority.

Local authorities provide information and advice to the public, community and voluntary groups, business owners and schools about fire safety and prevention, fire regulation, building standards, and fire and emergency response.

Local authorities respond to fires, road traffic accidents, flooding, chemical and hazardous incidents, and other emergencies to protect human life, property and the environment, and to reduce deaths, injuries and damage.

Local authorities may charge those who benefit from the response of the fire service to domestic and commercial fires, chimney fires, road traffic accidents and false alarm incidents.

Local authorities, together with other stakeholders, respond to water and flooding incidents to rescue those in danger, distress or at risk due to flooding.

Local authorities provide information and advice to those interested in becoming fulltime or retained firefighters including details of the application requirements and recruitment process.

Local authorities publish plans outlining their fire and emergency operations including fire stations, appliances, equipment, water supplies, training, and procedures for dealing with fires and emergencies.

Local authorities, together with other Principal Response Agencies, provide information and advice to the public and media about major emergency incidents such as flooding, storms and hazardous substance incidents. A major emergency is any event which, usually with little or no warning, causes or threatens injury or death, serious disruption of essential services, or damage to property, the environment or infrastructure beyond the normal capabilities of the main emergency services.

Local authorities, together with other Principal Response Agencies, manage and respond to major emergencies such as floods, storms and hazardous substance incidents to protect life and property, minimise disruption to the community and give immediate support to those affected. A major emergency is any event which, usually with little or no warning, causes or threatens injury or death, serious disruption of essential services, or damage to property, the environment or infrastructure beyond the normal capabilities of the principal emergency services.

Local authorities, together with other Principal Response Agencies, publish plans outlining their coordinated response to major emergencies such as floods, storms and hazardous substance incidents. A major emergency is any event which, usually with little or no warning, causes or threatens injury or death, serious disruption of essential services, or damage to property, the environment or infrastructure beyond the normal capabilities of the principal emergency services.