The tragic deaths of three elderly sisters in a house fire on Inisbofin, Co. Galway, conveys an important message to all local authorities in the State. The failure of Galway County Council to provide even the most basic fire fighting equipment and training for local volunteers is unacceptable. It reflects the low priority traditionally accorded to many safety and life-saving services by officialdom because of a shortage of funds and resources. Now that the Government coffers are flush with cash and society has become more safety conscious, new approaches will have to be devised.
Ms Joanne Elliott, of the island development committee, has said they have sought fire fighting equipment from Galway County Council for a period of 21 years, without success. The islanders were not demanding an expensive fire tender and equipment, she declared; even a single fireproof suit, a fire hose, an axe and some basic training for volunteers would have sufficed. It is an unanswerable case, which could be replicated in hundreds of small, isolated, mainland villages.
But islands are special cases, because of their particular isolation. So far, in their demands on officialdom, residents have tended to concentrate on basic infrastructural needs like a regular ferry service, electricity and pumped water. Passable roads and sewage treatment works were further down the line, as were the various rescue and safety services. Inis Mor, the largest of the Aran Islands, is the only offshore community to have a fire-fighting service. And that was provided by Galway County Council only because of the safety requirements of the island's airport.
The Department of the Environment has overall responsibility for the manner in which local authorities carry out their functions. In the past, it took little interest in local fire safety. This tragedy has, however, generated belated recognition of its responsibilities. A review has been ordered into the arrangements local authorities have made for fire safety measures on offshore islands. That response should, however, be expanded to include isolated mainland communities.
There is no certainty that lives would have been saved had basic training and fire equipment been provided on Inisbofin. The blaze spread rapidly and trained personnel might not have reached the scene on time. But there was a fire hydrant within 100 metres of the house. And a fire hose had not been provided to the local community. Fire extinguishers from a local hotel and buckets of water were the only measures available.
Galway County Council has ordered a review of its fire fighting arrangements in light of the three deaths. That is as it should be. But its attempts to avoid blame by insisting that volunteers on the island could not be trained in the use of breathing apparatus - because of the small population - should be rejected. Far more relevant is its decision to consider the provision of fire fighting equipment, the installation of smoke alarms in all dwelling houses and a fire safety awareness programme. Its lead should be followed by other local authorities.
