Donegal Civil Defence – Cross Border Training

23 May 2014

Donegal Civil Defence assists the Donegal Fire Service on regular occurrences with Gorse Fire Fighting.

Given Donegal’s location on the north-west of the country, they are bordered on much of the east side by the Northern Ireland Counties of Tyrone and Derry. Consequently, there is cross-border sharing of services by the respective county councils with fire fighting. During Gorse Fire Fighting operations, Donegal Civil Defence engages at operational level with Donegal Fire Service and the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Services.

On Sunday 27th April 2014, Donegal Civil Defence Auxiliary Fire Units of Carndonagh and Donegal Town made an historical first ever cross-border visit to Northern Ireland Fire Service in the Northland Road Fire Station, Derry for joint-training. The visit was authorised by the Londonderry District Commander , Mr Barry Mc Dowell . Following a guided tour of the station by Watch Commander Brian Mc Caul, Blue Watch Northland Rd, joint training was undertaken by Donegal Civil Defence, Northland Road and Crescent Link Fire and Rescue Crews in the use of breathing apparatus, fire appliances and all other operational equipment.

The visit helped form a cross-border working relationship between all 3 fire units and the wealth of valuable knowledge gained served as an excellent part of our volunteers training development skills .

Donegal Civil Defence would like to thank Northland Road Fire Station, Derry for facilitating the training day and Crescent Link Fire Station, Derry for assisting, and to Mickey Feeney, Civil Defence Fire Instructor for having the foresight to initiate the visit.

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