Fire Brigade

Durrow Fire Brigade was formed in the early 1950 and has served the community with distinction for over half a century. ln the early years the Brigade mainly dealt with chimney fires, house fires and haybarn fires while today the majority of the Brigade callouts are to road traffic accidents. Five members of the crew are qualified First Attenders and this is vital in treating serious injury.

All members of the crew are qualified B.A.Wearer’s. Every year the Brigade visits the local National Schools in Durrow, Cullohill and Ballacolla to give a talk and to show a film on Fire Safety in the home and school. The Brigade open the Fire Station to the Public during the annual Fire Safety Week and gives a demonstration on Fire Safety in their homes. Being involved with the community in Fire Safety in a important part of the Fire Brigade work.

The Brigade has brought national honour to the community by winning four Irish Fire Services Pump Drill Competition’s in Dublin Airport in 1993, 1994, 1998 and 1999. Also in 1998, 1999 and 2000 the Brigade won the Shannon Airport Sponsered Open Source Pump Drill Competition. These achievements by The Brigade led to Laois County Council giving two Civic Receptions in 1994 and 2000 to acknowledge the outstanding contribution to the community and to acknowledge their seven National Titles in seven years.

Durrow Community Council presented the Brigade with a scroll for it’s outstanding service to the community and for winning it’s many Pump Drill competitions. The Brigade has become an integeral part of the community, as well as performing it’s duties the Brigade are available to bring Santa to the local Christmas Party, Leading in County and All Ireland winning GAA and Camogie Teams from the Parish and also Fund Raising.

The Brigade raised over €10,000 for the Senior Citizens Party with a Pump-Push from the Offaly Border to the Kilkenny border just outside of Durrow and a B.A wear/walk from Portlaoise t0 Durrow. These funds enabled the Community Council to run the Party for many years not worrying about the cost.