Posted online: Sep 27th, 2011

Inishowen’s auxiliary fire services received a huge boost at the weekend with the blessing of their new base in Carndonagh.
The town’s old fire station has been reborn as the base for the 14 members of the Civil Defence, who are trained to provide crucial auxiliary or back-up assistance to the peninsula’s main fire service.
The Civil Defence auxiliary fire service for the Inishowen area was set up in 2002, but with no station, had to train weekly in the backyard and garage of one of the volunteers in Glentogher.
However, they soon outgrew the premises and the idea of relocating to the old fire station was mooted by civil defence officer, Edel Flynn.
Ms Flynn then approached Donegal County Council and enquired whether the premises could be transformed.
Discussions then took place between Director of Service John Peoples, Donegal Chief Fire Officer Bobby McMenamin and Ms Flynn herself, where plans were put in place.
Members of the Civil Defence then voluntarily transformed and refurbished the former station, which was blessed by Fr Con McLaughlin and Rev Joe Fell on Saturday last.
Ms Flynn told the Inish Times the service was conducted in a bid to say “well done” and thanks to the volunteers for all their hard work.
The station is set to benefit the entire community and houses a fire appliance bay, kitchen facilities and a training room, which will also be used as a “central meeting point” and training location for other factions of the civil defence, such as search and rescue.