DFB IN BRIEF

A recap of Dublin Fire Brigade news and events over the spring months

ABOVE: Dolphin’s Barn played host to RTC Ongar as part of a series of fire prevention talks and station visits BELOW: Colleagues and family gathered at Donnybrook fire station to bid C Watch S/O Shane Somers farewell after 33 years of service

ABOVE: We said farewell to D/O Larry Byrne after 38 years of service in April. Joining us in 1985, Larry has been involved in every aspect of the profession

ABOVE: A busy week for the paramedic class with a visit to the RCSI SIM Centre, guest speakers from PHECC, and lectures on medical law and ethics

BELOW: Presenting a cheque for €15,000 to St Joseph’s School for the Visually Impaired in January following the hugely successful Daft Funk Brigade video fundraiser by C Watch North Strand

ABOVE: Sometimes the shortest ladder will do the job, as firefighters were able to assist two people in a city centre park after they became locked in after dark BELOW LEFT: DFB was part of a multi-agency response to a person in need of assistance at Poolbeg in February, working with Dublin Port, the RNLI and Gardaí

BELOW: Dealing with dozens of tyres on fire on waste ground in the Kinsealy area in January

ABOVE: A turntable ladder from Tara Street fire station secures a glass pane at Grand Canal Dock in April LEFT: Firefighters from Skerries, Balbriggan and Swords attend a fire in a recycling centre in January BELOW: We said farewell to Sub-O cer and cycling club member Derek Walsh in March after 38 years of service on A Watch Kilbarrack and then North Strand

ABOVE: One of the families who enjoyed our 2nd Cinema Day at the Savoy in April, where 370 people attended what was a great day of fun and film

LEFT: Colleagues and family were on hand in February to mark S/O Dave Lanigan’s final turnout at D Watch Donnybrook after 33 years of service RIGHT: We were saddened to hear of the passing of retired District O cer John Daly in January, and our thoughts are with John’s family, friends and colleagues

ABOVE: Congratulations to FF/APs Martin, Quigley, Delmer and O’Brien who graduated from the UCC MSc Specialist Paramedic programme in March

LEFT: It is with great sadness that we learned of the passing of retired Firefighter John Hunt in March. Stationed on C Watch in Tara Street Fire Station, John was a trusted mentor to young Firefighters

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ABOVE: D Watch Donnybrook found time between callouts to wish Firefighter/Paramedic Damien O’Neil a Happy Birthday in February at evening, our group dressed up and went to the various restaurants for dinner and the evening’s entertainment in the

In the last entry in our diary, I mentioned some of our members were going on a Spain, Gibraltar & Canary Islands Cruise from Monday, 21 November 2022, to Tuesday 29 November 2022. ey got a good deal from Cassidy Travel, which meant that all food and branded drinks for the duration of the cruise were included. Aidan Carroll and Bob Hedderman give us an overview of the trip.

On Monday 21 November, ying Aer Lingus from Dublin to Lisbon, our group boarded the Norwegian Sun cruise ship, which was scheduled to sail at 6pm that evening for Madeira.

We were at sea all day on Tuesday, and spent it relaxing, and on Wednesday morning, the ship arrived in Funchal, Madeira’s biggest town and home to legendary footballer Cristiano Ronaldo. Guests disembarked and went their separate ways, some taking the Monte Cable Car to visit the Botanical Gardens or the Monte Palace Tropical Garden, while others visited the Old Town to shop and view sights such as the Street Art of Rua da Santa Maria and the Farmer’s Market.

Our group headed back to the ship to discuss their day over drinks and prepared themselves to sit down to a fabulous dinner. To nish the day, people enjoyed a show in the theatre, relaxed and enjoyed a music session or karaoke in one of the lounges. Meanwhile the Norwegian Sun was quietly under way to the next port.

On ursday, we arrived at Las Palmas, Gran Canaria. Our group dispersed to walk around and see the sights before returning to the ship for drinks before dinner. Following dinner, the group adjourned to the various pubs and entertainment centres on the ship, while the ship set out for the next port of call.

On Friday, we arrived at Santa Cruz de La Cruz, La Palma. Guests disembarked and went to explore this beautiful location, discovering the Plaza de Espana, the main square of the town famous for its Canarian architecture, the Church of El Salvador, the Naval Museum of Santa Cruz De La Palma, or to relax on the beautiful black sand beach at Playa de Santa Cruz.