THE NEW Clones fire station at 98th Avenue will be officially opened next January, almost a year after construction began. The station will include two fire appliances bays, a Communication Room, a Control Room, an office area, a Training/Lecture room and Drill tower and yard at a cost of €1,200,000!

“We are really looking forward to the enhanced training facilities onsite. Currently, we have to go offsite for all of our training, such as ladder drills,” Eddie Tackney, Station Officer said. The new station will facilitate training with breathing apparatus and practice cutting techniques for road collisions. The second bay will also be used to accommodate the new appliance Jeep that will enable the crew to carry all the equipment necessary for emergency situations.

Similarly to the old station, built circa 1969, this new station will be one of the most modern in the county. Mr Tackney described the location as an excellent choice “We will have a straight route onto the Monaghan and Cavan roads and to Clones town centre.”

“I wish to thank Chief Fire Officer Damien Treanor, Senior Assistant Chief Fire Officer Dermot Brannigan and the Council for showing such forward thinking and commitment in upgrading Clones Fire Station,” Mr Tackney added.

“This facility, once completed, will form part of an integrated fire and rescue response service for the immediate Clones area, greater county area of Monaghan and surrounding counties into the 21st century,” Dermot Brannigan, Senior Assistant Chief Fire Officer said.

Clones Fire Brigade has nine crew members; Station Officer Eddie Tackney, Sub Station Officer Niall Nolan, John Reavey, Damien McGorman, Leo McPhilips, Alan O’ Dowd, Joe Monaghan, Ronan McDonald and Eamonn Tackney. The new station was designed by RPS Consulting Engineers, Dun Loaghaire, Co. Dublin and is being built by Pat Brady Ltd.

An official opening day expected to take place mid to late January.