Incidents Highlight Need for Regular Maintenance

Recently, two ambulances were destroyed in separate incidents, with the HSE confirming that battery faults were the cause of the fires.

• One incident occurred at an ambulance station in Castlebar, where a new emergency ambulance was parked and destroyed by a fire.
• Another incident happened in Offaly, where a community paramedic response vehicle was involved in a fire.

The HSE’s Response

The HSE released a statement in which they confirmed the problem behind the fires in two new vehicles related to auxiliary battery systems.

“The National Ambulance Service (NAS) confirms that all necessary safety inspections into the two recent vehicle fires have now been completed. These incidents involved one emergency ambulance and one community paramedic response vehicle, both of which were unoccupied at the time and resulted in no injuries.”

The HSE also stated that, following an urgent assessment by technical experts, a potential issue involving auxiliary battery systems was identified in a limited subset of NAS vehicles.

1. A comprehensive inspection programme was immediately undertaken in collaboration with vehicle and sub-system suppliers.
2. Remote battery monitoring has been implemented to detect any potential faults.
3. Reminders on vehicle safety checks have been issued to operational staff.

Preventing Future Incidents

To prevent future incidents, the HSE has taken the following measures:

Conclusion

The HSE’s actions demonstrate a commitment to the safety of staff, patients, and the public as their top priority. The NAS will continue to work closely with fleet and safety partners to monitor the issue and prevent future incidents.

The recent incidents highlight the importance of regular maintenance to prevent electrical fires in ambulances. The HSE’s response demonstrates that the issue will not be ignored and that measures will be taken to ensure the safety of all involved.