INTRODUCTION
In 1939 at the outbreak of World War II Kilkenny City Corporation formed the A.R.P. which consisted of three organisations (A.F.S.) Auxiliary Fire Service, Rescue Service and the Decontamination service. These services were formed in the event that Ireland became involved in the war and suffered from air-raids
A.F.S . The role of the A.F.S. was to give fire cover to the City of Kilkenny. Also in the event of an air-raid to alert the townspeople by means of a call-out van. If a pending air-raid was approaching, the Curragh Command or our own local Army or Garda Barracks would alert the A.F.S. headquarters in 25 Dean Street by phone. The phone was manned by Mr. Dan Murphy who was also a member of the A.F.S. The call-out van was sent around the city with a hand operated siren. The van was driven by Mr. Jack Murphy and assisted by another member of the A.F.S., this operation took approximately 15 minutes. When the Curragh Command gave the all-clear the operation had to be repeated to give the general public the all-clear.
In the event that there was a bombing raid these three services would come into operation. The A.F.S. would attend to all fires in the city, the rescue service would attend to all rescue operations, i.e. taking out people trapped under rubble or bombed buildings. In the event of the rescue service finding any dead bodies the decontamination service would take care of identifying and disposing of the bodies.
CREDITS
Special Thanks to Paul Traynor (son of S.O. Joe Traynor) who researched and compiled this history of Kilkenny City and County Fire Service.
Paul also thanks the following people for their valuable help:
Capt.Hugh Corrigan, Former C.F.O. Kilkenny City and County;
Mr.C.Cormican, C.F.O. Kilkenny City and County;
Mr.J.Ryan A.F.C.O, Cork City Fire Service;
Mr.J.Murphy (Retired Sub Officer);
E.Lanigan, Secretary, Kilkenny City Fire Service;
Mr.W.Doyle A.F.C.O, Waterford City Fire Service;
Mr.J.Kennedy (Retired Station Officer);
Mr.J. Walton, Sub Officer, Kilkenny City Fire Service;
Mr.G. Duffy, Driver, Kilkenny City Fire Service;
Mr. A.Kavanangh, Fireman, Kilkenny City Fire Service;
Mr.K.Howley, Driver, Kilkenny City Fire Service