Modern Auxiliary Fire Service

Today's AFS is a volunteer force which is a part of Civil Defence. The AFS is situated throughout the country located in many different locations such as full time stations and council owned properties.

Members usually train several hours a week in firefighting skills. The role of Civil Defence and the AFS has changed over the year with the diminishing threat of nuclear war.

Today the AFS is geared towards providing backup to the regular services in times of greater need. These include the gorse and forest fires which swept the country in the summer of 1995, the Raglan house explosion in Dublin a number of years ago and the North wall depot fire in October 1965.

Organization

The Auxiliary Fire Service is a part of a larger organization called the Civil Defence.

This is (except at highest level) also a volunteer organization which serves the community in times of need.

The other sections include:

Welfare (food, clothing etc.)

Wardens ( information gathering.)

Rescue (Light rescue)

HQ staff ( coordination)

Casualty (Basic fist aid)

Other areas where the Civil Defence has formed specialist groups are, mountain rescue, rescue from heights and water rescue.

Training

Training in the Auxiliary Fire Service revolves around the basics in firefighting, first aid, rescue and pump operations.

Breathing apparatus is not used as AFS units are not required to enter structural fires. Competitions are held regularly to give further incentive to polish up and maintain standards. Members are available on call via telephones as the AFS is only used for a large protracted incidenst or at pre planned events which require additional fire cover such as the Phoenix park motor racing or the Baldonnell air show.

Appliances

The AFS have a variety of different vehicles usually bought secondhand due to budget constraints. Members will in most cases refurbish the vehicles themselves in whatever design they choose mostly in line with the regular brigades. Appliances include Dennis,Mercedes, Bedford, Dodge and Timoney.

History

In 1938 the threat of war across Europe was looming and Ireland even though choosing to remain neutral in military affairs, nevertheless began to make preparations for whatever was to come. In August 1939 the Department of Defence initiated the Auxiliary Fire Service and gave Major Comeford command. Third Officer Gorman of Dublin Fire Brigade was appointed as training Officer with acting district officer Leech, two instructors from the army and four newly made up leading firefighters also instructing.

With the Fire Brigades Act of 1940 The AFS was approved as a separate organization except in emergency conditions when it was to augment the regular brigades.

The AFS expanded quickly with numbers growing to over 700 officers and men with 3 self propelled pumps and 77 trailer pumps. These units were stationed in fifteen stations which were established across the county.

Cross Border Dash

On the 15th April 1941 the Luftwaffe started to bomb further afield and headed for Belfast Northern Ireland. The city suffered heavy bombing and all brigades were stretched to the limit to cope with the onslaught. The Auxiliary Fire Service and the Dublin Fire Brigade in defiance of neutrality raced across the border to help their weary colleagues. Other brigades from Dun Laoghaire, Drogheda and Dundalk also answered the call.

German Bombs land on Dublin

Although Ireland had declared its neutrality at the beginning of the war, in 1941 bombs landed on several areas of the city. The explosions occurred on the night of 30/31 May 1941 when bombers dropped there loads on the northern part of Dublin. The areas hit were the North Circular Road, Summerhill Parade and North Strand. 38 people died with 70 houses being destroyed. Serious fires were started as a result and the firefighters worked valiantly amidst the carnage.

The bombers which were following two radio beacons which were to form an x over the target are be believed to have veered off course when the British transmitted a third beam which moved the cross hairs to a different location.

Whether the raid was deliberate or accidental is not known. At the end of the war the AFS was disbanded for the time being.

Cold War and New AFS

With the onset of the cold war between America and Russia people all over the world began to fear that a nuclear war was a real possibility. Because of this Ireland formed the Civil Defence which was a volunteer force drawn from its citizens which would be given basic training to help out in the event of war or a major emergency.

The AFS was reformed in 1957 as part of the Civil defence in Ireland. Chief Fire Officers of full-time brigades were given the responsibility for the training of AFS units throughout the country.

Joining the AFS

Joining the AFS or any section in the Civil Defence is quite straight forward.

Just drop down to your local unit and make some enquires.

You have to be over 17 years of age and have a reasonable level of fitness.

Each class or unit runs on one night a week with occasional weekends away for training.

Fire training takes place for 1 1/2 to 2 hours one night a week and covers the following areas.

>Ladders

>Pump Operation

>Basic firefighting practical and theroy.

>Fire brigade equipment

>Team drills

>Rescue

>First aid

Training takes place from September to June with the summer months being used for maintenance.

Some differences in each classes training nights, personnel needs and time requirements exist so you need to contact them yourself.

You are required to attend events where fire cover is organized by the Civil Defence along with some stewarding duties for public events etc.

As this is a volunteer organization there is no remuneration for members.

Contact

Useful Addresses

Civil Defence College
Benamore
Roscrea
Co Tipperary
Telephone 0505-25310
Fax 0505-25344
EMail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Civil Defence Headquarters

The Esplanade,

Wolfetone Quay,

Dublin 1.

Tel: (01) 6772699

Fax: (01) 6772511