The Irish Air Corps’ Press Officer says it takes time to respond to requests for assistance in the case of gorse and forest fires, saying the Corps does not have a primary function in terms of fighting fires.
As a result, Captain Kevin Fitzgerald says, it takes time to mobilise and put a plan in place to ensure safe operations.
Local politicians claim it took seven hours for the Aer Corps to mobilise yesterday, with Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher seeking a full report and assessment of the processes and protocols involved.
On today’s Nine til Noon Show, Captain Fitzgerald outlined the process which was followed when the request for assistance came in yesterday morning………..
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