13-08-2025
Firefighters to visit homes of elderly in Sligo to give safety advice
Firefighters will be visiting the homes of the elderly to give advice on how to keep safe under a new initiative between Sligo County Council and Age Friendly Ireland.
The two bodies have joined forces to improve the safety and well-being of older residents in the county.
A joint Protocol of Cooperation has been officially signed at County Buildings, Riverside, by Martin Lydon, Chief Executive, Sligo County Council and Eimear McCormack, Acting National Manager Healthy Age Friendly Homes Programme, Age Friendly Ireland.
The new partnership will see firefighters from the four fire stations in County Sligo conducting free home fire safety checks for older people, referred to them by the Healthy Age Friendly Homes Programme.
The Home Fire Safety Check will involve two firefighters from the local Fire Brigade arranging to visit the person, who shall be accompanied by a friend/neighbour, in their home.
The meeting involves a conversation regarding escape plans, the installation of a free smoke alarm within the home, the identification of any potential fire risks within the home to help the older person understand potentially fire hazardous situations within the home.
Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council, Councillor Dónal Gilroy: 'This programme is a welcome initiative that will keep older residents of the county safe and living in their homes. Sligo Fire Service provide an outstanding community fire service to the people of this county and this new outreach programme will bring further comfort to older people and their families in County Sligo'.
Marian Coakley, Chief Fire Officer said: 'The risks associated with fires in the home increase as we get older, and fire safety checks for older people are therefore a vital part in enabling older people to stay safe in their own home. We are delighted to be involved in this collaborative initiative which will allow us to work in parallel with the Healthy Age Friendly Homes Programme in protecting older people in their homes.'
She noted that both Sligo Fire Service and Age Friendly Ireland recently completed joint training for the Home Fire Safety Checks, ensuring that fire-fighters are equipped to provide valuable assistance to older residents.
The success of this initiative in County Sligo could serve as a model for similar partnerships across Ireland.
Eimear McCormack, Acting National Manager Healthy Age Friendly Homes Programme at Age Friendly Ireland said: 'This project will help to improve the health and safety of Sligo's older people by providing practical advice and assistance to prevent fires. This initiative aligns with the Healthy Age Friendly Homes aims of enabling older people to remain in their own homes and communities with a sense of independence for a long as possible'
