Enhanced home safety for older residents in County Leitrim
Leitrim County Council, in partnership with Age Friendly Ireland, has announced a new joint initiative aimed at improving home fire safety for older adults across County Leitrim. On Wednesday, 6th August, a Local Protocol of Cooperation was formally signed at The Council Chamber, Áras an Chontae, Co Leitrim.
The signatories included Mr. Joseph Gilhooly, Chief Executive of Leitrim County Council, and Ms. Eimear McCormack, Acting National Manager of the Healthy Age Friendly Homes Programme with Age Friendly Ireland. This groundbreaking partnership will see firefighters from all five fire stations in County Leitrim conducting free Home Fire Safety Visits for older residents who are referred through the Healthy Age Friendly Homes Programme.
About the Home Fire Safety Visits
Each visit will be delivered by two uniformed firefighters from the local brigade and will be attended by a friend, neighbour, or support person to ensure the comfort of the resident. During the visit, fire service personnel will:
- Provide tailored guidance on fire escape planning
- Install or test smoke alarms
- Identify potential fire hazards and offer practical advice
- Promote awareness of night time fire safety routines
The visits last approximately 30 minutes, and older adults are encouraged to have someone present who can help take notes or clarify information.
If you feel that you, or someone you know, would benefit from a Home Fire Safety Visit, please contact Leitrim Fire Service on communityfiresafety@leitrimcoco.ie and a member of your local Fire Service will be in touch.
About Healthy Age Friendly Homes Programme (Age Friendly Ireland)
The Healthy Age Friendly Homes Programme aims to support older people to live in their own home with dignity and independence, for as long as possible. The programme’s ambition is to enable everyone to live longer healthier lives by keeping care close to home and expanding the range of health and social care services in the community. It is about providing a range of alternatives for older people who may otherwise transition into long term residential care prematurely.
To do this, we have appointed a Local Healthy Age Friendly Homes Coordinator in all local authorities. Each Local Coordinator will case manage a support package for each person referred, linking the supports from the variety of public, voluntary, private and community agencies in the area.
The purpose of this referral is to identify an older person who could benefit from some extra help and support in order to continue living in their own home. The Local Coordinator will carry out a home-based assessment and, in partnership with the older person, will identify and design a range of supports to enable the older person to continue living independently. This will not affect any current home help, medical card, pension, or other services being received.
If you feel that you would benefit from a referral to the Healthy Age Friendly Homes Programme, and are over 65 years old, please contact the National Office on 046 9248899.
Cathaoirleach of Leitrim County Council, Councillor Paddy Farrell, praised the programme: “This initiative brings vital reassurance and safety to older residents throughout Leitrim. The fire service continues to deliver exceptional support to our community, and this outreach will further strengthen that legacy.”
Noel O’Reilly, Chief Fire Officer with Leitrim County Council, highlighted the necessity of targeted fire safety for older individuals: “Fire risks increase with age, making these visits an essential part of our commitment to protecting older persons in their homes. We’re proud to work in tandem with Age Friendly Ireland to expand our impact.”
He noted that both Leitrim Fire Service and Age Friendly Ireland recently completed joint training for the Home Fire Safety Checks, ensuring that fire-fighters are equipped to provide valuable assistance to older residents. The success of this initiative in County Leitrim could serve as a model for similar partnerships across Ireland.
Eimear McCormack, Acting National Manager Healthy Age Friendly Homes Programme at Age Friendly Ireland, emphasised the importance of this collaboration, stating: “This collaboration represents a forward-thinking approach to public safety. By combining expert training with the goals of the Healthy Age Friendly Homes Programme, we’re enabling older adults to live independently and securely for longer.”