The existing Offaly fire service training centre in Tullamore.

Plans unveiled for new fire service training centre

Plans for a new training and development centre for Offaly Fire Service have been published.

Offaly County Council is planning to construct the new facility on an overgrown vacant site adjacent to the existing Tullamore Fire Station at Srah.

The proposal is for a two-storey fire service training and development centre building, spanning 680m2.

It will include unisex changing facilities, a PPE storage room, PPE drying room, briefing room, toilets and showers, breathing apparatus and compressor room, office, lecture room, instructors office, syndicate rooms and canteen.

There will also be a training tower, vehicle storage unit and goods store and vehicle maintenance workshop as well as an underground confined space training facility.

The council says the extension is required to facilitate an expansion of courses that can be offered, increase the capacity of the courses as well as improve the facilities currently available on site.

Offaly County Council Fire & Rescue Service secured €900,000 in funding under the 'Fire Service Capital Programme 2021-2025' for the development of the training centre which will provide facilities not only for Offaly but for fire authorities across the country.

The facility will allow for an extended range of courses to be delivered, including national QQI courses in Firefighter Skills, Breathing Apparatus, Pump Operations, Transportation and Hazardous Materials.

The centre will be also utilised for the delivery of Officer Development courses as part of the Central Training Programme delivered nationally by the National Directorate for Fire & Emergency Management.

The vacant greenfield site is approximately 0.54 hectares in area.

Vehicular access to the proposed development is to be provided via the existing fire station access off the R443 Srah Road. Pedestrian access will be provided via the Pearse Park Road and existing access road to the adjoining premises.

Plans for the proposal are currently on display at the Tullamore Municipal District, Acres Hall, Tullamore and Offaly County Council Fire and Rescue, Central Fire Station, Tullamore. Submissions or observations on the proposed development can be made before Thursday, June 9 at 3pm.