Negotiations are ongoing to secure a city site to develop a new Fire Brigade Headquarters to serve all of Galway.

The current building at Claddagh was “completely substandard” according to Chief Fire Officer, Gerry O’Malley.

In a presentation to Galway County Councillors, Mr O’Malley said developing a new headquarters in Galway City was the top priority in the Fire Service’s 2026-2030 capital investment plan.

Other priorities included a new station for Ballinasloe, completing a station in Loughrea in 2026, and improved facilities including extensions in Portumna and Inis Mór.

Mr O’Malley told the January County Council meeting that Galway City Fire Station was built in 1956 and was almost 70 years old.

It was a base for 36 fire fighters and headquarters for 118 staff across County Galway.

He showed photographs of the station, which was cramped, and too small. A temporary portacabin that was installed over 15 years ago needed to be replaced, he said.

The fire chief said Galway County Council was responsible for Fire Services in Galway City and County, but it does not own any suitable sites in the city.

A preferred site in the city for a new HQ had been identified by the Fire Services, and discussions with both local authorities were ongoing, he said.

Mr O’Malley said Ballinasloe Fire Station was 50 years old and needed to be replaced too.

If funding was secured, the existing station will be knocked and rebuilt at its current location, he said.

Portumna Fire Station – which has inadequate changing facilities – was listed in the capital programme as needing an extension and refurbishment upgrade.

Mr O’Malley said the organisation was trying to attract more women to become fire fighters. There were two females on Inis Mór, he said, and they hoped to extend Aran Island station – possibly into the Coast Guard Station next door – in the lifetime of the capital plan.

Inis Mór had recently benefited from investment in Galway Fire Service’s fleet when it took delivery of a new van.

Mr O’Malley said 125 out of 134 retained fire fighter positions were filled in Galway; and 33 out of 36 full-time positions were occupied. Three full-time staff had retired and will be replaced, and they were trying to recruit more retained staff for its 11 Galway stations.

In response to queries from Councillor Eileen Mannion (FG), Mr O’Malley acknowledged there were difficulties with the week-on/week-off rota in Clifden but they were recruiting to solve that issue.

Mr O’Malley outlined the significant investment that had already happened in this century at Galway fire stations.

Gort got anew station in 2002; Clifden’s new station was delivered in 2006; An Cheathrú Rua got one in 2016; Tuam’s new station opened in 2019; Athenry’s new station, involving €3.4m investment, opened last year.

Mr O’Malley said planning permission for a new Loughrea station was secured in 2024, and it should be built by 2026.

As well as outlining the significant investment in fire equipment and fleet that has taken place in recent years, Mr O’Malley said two new fire engines are coming to Galway this May.

The Fire Service in Galway was also responsible for Civil Defence, including around 220 volunteers.

Pictured: Chief Fire Officer, Gerry O’Malley.