Chief Fire Officers To Hold Annual Conference In Limerick

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) April 15, 2011 -- The theme of the conference is “Adapting to Uncertain Times – Future Challenges for the Fire And Rescue Service”.

Among the topics to be discussed will be the impact of man-made and natural disasters on the Fire Service, reorganisation within the Fire Service, achieving excellence in the Fire Service, development of Fire Cover, a national perspective on planning for change, Business Continuity Management, and Fire Safety in the Community.

The Conference keynote speaker is Goran Schnell of the Swedish Fire Service who will be exploring the future challenges for tomorrow’s Fire Service.

Other speakers scheduled to address the two-day conference include Peter Craig, Chief Fire Officer, Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service; Peter Holland, President of the UK Chief Fire Officers’ Association; and Sean Hogan, Director, National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management.

Conference Secretary and Chief Fire Officer for Limerick County Fire and Rescue Service, Carmel Kirby said that Fire Service personnel will use this year’s Conference as an opportunity to focus on the changing environment in which the Service presently operates.

Ms. Kirby added: “The forthcoming conference will feature expert speakers within the Emergency Services Sector and the Fire Technology/Industry from Ireland, Sweden, Belgium, Denmark, Switzerland and the UK who with their experience, knowledge and wisdom in different aspects of the Fire Service will attempt to provide innovative thoughts and ideas about how the service can achieve such success in the current challenging operating environment. The Conference will also provide a forum for those employed in the public sector and those engaged in private practice to come together to discuss topical issues.”.

“The ability of the Fire Service to adapt to these challenging times is testament to the commitment and excellence of those who work in the service”, she explained.

The annual showcase event for Ireland’s Fire and Emergency Services sector will also feature a Fire Industry and Technology Exhibition.

According to Ms. Kirby: “The Exhibition presents an ideal opportunity for representatives from the manufacturing and trade sector involved in supplying emergency products to meet, network and exchange information with representatives and colleagues from the private and public sector in a convivial and professional environment.”

The CFOA comprises the Chief Fire Officers of all Local Authorities in Ireland. The Association is also a member of the Federation of European Fire officers Associations and attends their twice yearly meetings.

For more visit www.cfoa.net.

-ENDS-

Notes To Editor:

- Michael Raftery, CFOA Chairperson and Galway Chief Fire Officer and Carmel Kirby, Conference Secretary and Chief Fire Officer for Limerick County Fire and Rescue Service are available for interview and further comment. To arrange please contact Mark Dunphy of Dunphy PR on 086-8534900 or media@dunphypr.com- Members of the media are invited to attend the conference. Photograph and interview opportunities will be provided


CONFERENCE PROGRAMME - WOODLANDS HOTEL ADARE

Day 1: Wednesday 4th May
08:30 – 09:30 Registration

Session 1
Chairperson: Brian Power, Assistant Chief Fire Officer, Dublin City Council
09:30 – 09:45 Welcome to Delegates and Official Opening
Cllr Richard Butler , Cathaoirleach, Limerick County Council
Mr. Edmond Gleeson, County Manager Limerick County Council
09:45 – 10:15 Opening Address
A. N. Other T.D., Minister of State with responsibility for the Fire Services

10.15 – 10.30 Address of Chairman of Chief Fire Officers’ Association
Michael Raftery, Chief Fire Officer, Galway Fire Service
10:30 – 11:10 Future challenges for Tomorrow’s Fire Service
Göran Schnell, Swedish Fire Service
11:10 – 14:00 Tea/Coffee/Delegate Networking & Fire Technology Exhibition
12:45 – 14:00 Lunch

Session 2
Chairperson: Tadhg O’ Driscoll, Chief Fire Officer, South Tipperary County Council
14:00 – 14:40 Developments in Fire Cover in Belgium
Chris Addiers, Chief Fire Officer, Antwerp City and Port Fire and Rescue Service

14:40 – 15:20 Organisation of the Swiss Fire Service and Collaboration with Civil Defence
Christian Isler, Swiss Fire Service
15:20 – 16:20 Tea/Coffee/Delegate Networking & Fire Technology Exhibition
16:20 – 16.50 Carbon Monoxide – the Silent Killer
EI Electronics, Shannon, County Clare
16.50 – 17:15 Open Forum & Closure of day’s proceedings

Day 2: Thursday 5th May
08:30 - 09:30 Registration

Session 3
Chairperson: Seamus Murphy, Chief Fire Officer, Mayo County Council
09:30 – 10:10 Business Continuity Management

Niall Murray, Assistant Chief Fire Officer, Limerick County Fire & Rescue and Dr. Caroline Mc Mullan, Dublin City University Business School
10:10 – 10:50 The Fire Service as a Modern Service Provider for the Municipality
Jesper Djurhuus, Danish Association of Chief Fire Officers
10:50 – 11:20 Fire Safety in Community
Mr. Peter Craig,

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