Fire authority planning: adapting to Ireland’s new risks

With rising public expectations and growing risks, maintaining up‑to‑date Section 26 Fire and Emergency Operations Plans is more important than ever.

Forvis Mazars supports fire authorities in developing clear, defensible and Keeping Communities Safe (KCS)‑aligned plans that meet statutory obligations and reflect Ireland’s changing risk environment. Our independent analysis, operational insight and governance expertise help authorities demonstrate that their decisions are robust, evidence-based and future-ready.

A changing statutory and operational landscape

Ireland’s modern fire service framework is grounded in the Fire Services Act 1981, which replaced the wartime Fire Brigades Act 1940 and established the statutory requirement for structured planning under Section 26. The urgency for stronger oversight was underscored by the Stardust nightclub fire in 1981, where 48 people tragically lost their lives.

Recent inquests, concluding in 2024 with a verdict of unlawful killing, reaffirmed the public expectation for consistent enforcement, transparent planning and robust governance.

How Forvis Mazars can help fire authorities

As fire authorities work to align statutory obligations with shifting operational realities, many are now seeking clearer evidence, stronger governance structures and robust external assurance. Against this backdrop, targeted support can help authorities navigate complexity and produce plans that stand up to public, ministerial and audit scrutiny.

Independent risk and data analysis

• Community risk assessments aligned with KCS
• Incident demand forecasting and travel‑time modelling
• Impact analysis of demographic, housing and economic change
• Specialist risk profiling for industry, logistics and critical infrastructure

Operational and organisational planning

• Review and refresh of existing Section 26 plans
• Evaluation of crewing models and retained versus full‑time staffing needs
• Station location assessment and scenario planning
• Capability reviews for high‑rise, climate‑related and technical incidents

Governance, assurance and compliance

• Guidance on statutory compliance with Section 26
• Strengthening of performance management and continuous improvement
• Support for regional coordination and stakeholder engagement

Strategic investment and business case development

• Long‑term capital, fleet and asset planning
• Costed options for station upgrades, specialist response and workforce changes
• Evidence‑based business cases that withstand ministerial and public scrutiny

Key trends reshaping fire service planning

Understanding the wider forces driving risk across Ireland is essential, as these trends directly influence service design, resourcing decisions and long‑term planning under Section 26.

Demographic shifts

• Population growth in cities and commuter counties increases incident demand
• Rural depopulation challenges affect firefighter recruitment and retention

Housing and development

• High‑rise and high‑density living increases rescue complexity
• Low‑density suburban expansion extends travel times and impacts station locations

Economic and industrial activity

• New logistics hubs, manufacturing sites and data infrastructure introduce technical risks
• Regional economic expansion influences capability requirements

Climate and severe weather

• More frequent flooding, storms and wildfires increase multi‑agency demand
• Greater need for resilience planning and specialist emergency response

These pressures do not exist in isolation. They reflect wider national shifts that are reshaping incident demand, resource allocation and long‑term service design.

Fire authority support for a changing Ireland

Ireland’s fire services are operating in a landscape defined by demographic change, evolving risks and heightened public expectations for transparency and accountability. The statutory framework set out under Section 26, alongside the risk‑based principles of KCS, enables authorities to plan with clarity and confidence, but doing so requires a strong evidence base and clear strategic justification.

Forvis Mazars supports fire authorities in navigating these demands and building resilient, future‑ready services. To discuss how we can support your next Section 26 review or wider planning needs, please get in touch with our team.