A petition calling for the provision of a new fire station for Charleville will be circulated this Friday, calling on local TDs and public representatives to push for a station to replace the current one which is described as “not fit for purpose”. Fire service members and supporters will be on the Main Street this Friday to get signatures for their petition, and they will also collect signatures for half a day on Saturday. Added to that, they will attend Mass services in Charleville and surrounding villages this Sunday, and public support would be gratefully received.
The present-day station, which is located in Bakers Lane, has been in use as far back as the 1950s and cannot accommodate new engines and equipment because it is too small. New fire stations have been opened in recent years in Kanturk, Millstreet and Mallow, while the Charleville service is operating out of a building which is unable to accommodate modern fire engines.
Speaking this week, Cllr Ian Doyle said that, “at a previous Council meeting I looked for an update on the proposed new fire station for Charleville, and the reply was that Cork County Council was actively looking into same in terms of identifying a green-field site or looking at upgrading the current station to modern needs.
“This is of utmost urgency now in Charleville. Our current station is no longer fit for purpose to accommodate the new requirements in terms of training and huge call-outs in Charleville which ranges from being first responders, to collisions, to fire call-outs.
“These firefighters have been part of a vital service in Charleville and surrounding areas, and fully need the support of Cork County Council to progress plans for a new fire station,” he said.