We can't deal with terrorist attack, warn firefighters

THE Chief Fire Officers' Association has written to the Department of Environment warning that the country's fire service is incapable of dealing with a major terrorist attack.

In the letter, seen by the Irish Examiner, the CFOA refers to the bombings in Madrid, and warns about the limited response capacity of the fire service in Ireland, in the event of a similar large-scale emergency occurring here.

A CFOA spokesman said the Irish fire service was in such a 'parlous state' even a minor emergency could lead to serious problems.