O’Shea Welcomes New Fire Appliance for Macroom Fire Service

Cork North West Fine Gael TD – Deputy John Paul O’Shea has warmly welcomed the delivery of a new state-of-the-art fire appliance for Macroom Fire Station, saying it represents a “major investment in public safety” for the town and the wider Cork North West area.

The new fire engine has been funded by the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

Deputy O’Shea said “I am delighted to see this new fire appliance allocated to Macroom. Our firefighters put themselves on the line for us day and night, and they deserve the very best equipment. This investment will directly benefit families, businesses and communities right across Cork North West.”

The modern fire appliance can accommodate a crew of eight and is equipped with an 1,800-litre water tank, a main pump capable of pumping 3,000 litres per minute, and an integrated Compressed Air Foam System (CAFS), representing the latest in firefighting technology. It also carries a set of ladders capable of reaching up to 13.5 metres in height.

Macroom Fire Station responds to approximately 175 emergency calls each year and serves a population of around 20,000 people. Its station ground area is one of the largest in the country in geographic terms, covering the town itself, several nearby villages, significant areas of forestry and mountainous terrain, as well as food processing and manufacturing facilities. The busy N22 national route also traverses the station’s area.

Deputy O’Shea continued “Macroom’s firefighters respond to a huge range of incidents – from house fires and road traffic collisions on the N22, to industrial incidents and emergencies in remote rural and forestry areas. This new, high-spec appliance is tailored to meet those demands and will greatly strengthen the station’s capability.”

“I want to pay tribute to the crews in Macroom for their professionalism and dedication, and to Cork County Council’s Fire Service management for their continued focus on upgrading the fleet. I also acknowledge the support of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage in approving and funding this important investment.”

Deputy O’Shea concluded “This is very positive news for Macroom and for the wider Cork North West constituency. At its core, it’s about ensuring that when an emergency happens, our firefighters can get there quickly and safely, with the best possible equipment to protect lives and property.”