On April 13, 2025, Tánaiste and Minister for Defence Simon Harris officially opened the new €2.6 million Civil Defence Headquarters in Roscommon. Located at the Ballybroghan Business Park, this state-of-the-art facility is designed to enhance the operational capabilities of Civil Defence volunteers in the region.
Facility Features and Significance
The headquarters offers comprehensive amenities, including:
- Training and Welfare Spaces: Dedicated areas for volunteer training and welfare.
- Vehicle Storage: Secure storage for specialized vehicles and equipment.
- All-Weather Training Yard: A yard equipped for year-round training activities.
- Council Archive Facility: A climate-controlled space for Roscommon County Council’s archival materials.
This development not only provides modern facilities for Civil Defence operations but also houses essential council archives, promoting efficiency and accessibility.
Collaborative Efforts and Community Impact
The project resulted from a collaborative effort among various stakeholders:
- Roscommon County Council: Led the development and funding of the facility.
- Department of Defence: Provided support and resources.
- Coolsivna Construction Group Ltd.: Handled the construction, ensuring timely and quality delivery.
Shane Tiernan, Chief Executive of Roscommon County Council, expressed enthusiasm about the project’s commencement, emphasizing its importance for both Civil Defence volunteers and council operations. Claire Keane, Civil Defence Officer, highlighted the facility’s role in enhancing the service provided to the community. (Westmeath Independent)
Enhancing Emergency Response Capabilities
The new headquarters significantly bolsters the Civil Defence’s capacity to respond to emergencies and support community events. It provides volunteers with modern resources and training environments, ensuring they are well-prepared for various scenarios. (Westmeath Independent)
This development aligns with national efforts to modernize Civil Defence facilities, following similar initiatives in Dublin and Westmeath. (gov.ie, civildefence.ie)
The inauguration of Roscommon’s Civil Defence Headquarters marks a significant milestone in enhancing community safety and emergency response services in the region and country as a whole.
