Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 March 2026
1015. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management have reviewed protocols, procedures and preparedness of fire services for dealing with Lithium battery fires following an incident (details supplied) last year and given proposals for battery energy storage systems across the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18713/26]
View answerMy Department, through the National Directorate for Fire & Emergency Management (NDFEM), supports fire authorities by establishing fire service policy, setting national standards for fire safety and fire service provision, providing a central training programme, issuing guidance on operational and other related matters and providing capital funding for priority infrastructural projects. The provision of a fire service in its functional area, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade, the assessment of fire cover needs and the provision of fire station premises, is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under the Fire Services Act, 1981.
Fire Services operate an Incident Command System with risk management protocols and specialised equipment when dealing with incidents involving electricity, ensuring the safety of firefighters working in such hazardous conditions. Firefighters are highly trained in effective and safe firefighting operations. Dynamic Risk Assessment at the incident scene, as part of the Incident Command system, is a key function in ensuring safe working.
The NDFEM has developed a suite of Standard Operating Guidelines (SOGs) to support effective firefighting operations. SOG 5.1 ‘Incidents Involving Electricity’ examines the hazards, risks and control measures for incidents that involve electricity. SOG 5.01a identifies the hazards posed to firefighters by new technologies in PV panels and battery storage. The core training delivered locally on SOGs underpins a risk based approach to safe working at incidents involving electricity and the associated emerging technologies.
