Shannon Airport has become the first airport in Ireland to take delivery of two new state-of-the-art High Reach Extendable Turret (HRET) fire tenders.

Conventional fire tenders require that firefighters be put into the risk area to fight fires.

However, the new HRET reduces this risk, as fires can be extinguished remotely by operating it from the vehicle cab.

The tenders are also equipped with a thermal imaging camera, to allow firefighters identify the hottest part of the aircraft.

Shannon Airport Police and Fire Service has also recruited new firefighters after a selection process saw applicants whittled down from 500 to 10.

Shannon Airport Fire Service recruits Hilary Cleary and Dara Flaherty | Image: Arthur Ellis

The recruits will undergo an intensive 12-week training programme which will equip them to begin work in the combined role of airport police and fire personnel.

Pat O'Brien is chief officer for fire and rescue at Shannon Airport.

He says: "It is a new era for the Airport Police and Fire Service in Shannon and we are looking forward to the recruits entering the service.

"Their training programme is intensive and has benefitted hugely from significant investment in the very latest technology and training aids".

"Our recruits come from all walks of life, including a painter, a panel beater, strength and conditioning coach and paramedic. Some of them travel from Galway, Longford, Limerick, and Clare.

"Through the selection process they have proved themselves to be capable of working well in challenging environments, and with people who may be in distress."

Shannon Airport Fire Service recruits who began their training on June 24th | Image: Arthur Ellis

Commenting on the new equipment, Mr O'Brien adds: "It was of paramount importance to the management team at Shannon Airport to ensure the safety of passengers and staff, and the new fire tenders have additional safety benefits for both airport fire service staff and passengers."

"Also for aviation firefighting, at the end of the HRET there is a piercing nozzle.

"If you have an internal fire in a cargo hold of an aircraft, rather than commit a team into the risk area, with your thermal imaging camera, you can identify where the heat source is, and you can penetrate the part of the hold where the fire is with the piercing tool.

"It literally can pierce through the aluminium of the aircraft. Then you can apply water or foam internally on the fire."