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DUBLIN FIRE BRIGADE
EMERGENCY AMBULANCE SERVICE
CELEBRATING 125 YEARS
From DFB’s foundation in 1862 until 1898, injured to fold down level with the floor so that there was no
parties at a fire ground were brought to hospital obstruction when stretchers were being inserted into
on either fireman’s horse-drawn appliance, the the wagon.
brigade’s tool cart or hose wagon, or any other
transport available at the scene. As a result of this Training for ambulance work had already commenced
unhygienic practice as a form of medical transport, in 1898, ten firemen from the central station were
the Dublin Corporation commissioned a horse-drawn selected to be instructed by a Dr J. H McAuley with
ambulance. A delegation made up of the Lord Mayor, the assistance of a sergeant-major from the army
Councillors Little, McCabe, Smyth and Meagher, City medical corps. By the time the new ambulance
engineer, City Architect and Chief Fire Officer Purcell arrived at the end of the year, the firemen had become
was tasked with looking at other brigades. The very proficient in first aid and the use of splints
delegation was instructed to visit Belfast, Glasgow, and bandages. In December 1898 the arrival of the
Edinburgh, Liverpool, London and any other cities brigade’s new vehicle was given wide publicity in the
deemed relevant in order to view the best and newest newspapers and much favourable comment, with
systems. The delegation visited these cities from the the skill of Purcell in designing such an excellent
20th to the 27th October 1897, reporting on the 2nd ambulance was noted and acknowledged. The
November 1897. During a visit to Belfast Fire Brigade introduction of an ambulance service operated by the
in 1897, Purcell witnessed their brigade’s horse fire brigade was a tremendous boost for the people of
drawn ambulance in use. On his return, he designed the city. This ambulance proved to be a great success
a similar but improved vehicle, for use in the Dublin and was of excellent workmanship that a second
Fire Brigade. ambulance was ordered from Brownes in 1901 at a
cost of £108.
In 1898, the new ambulance was designed entirely by
Chief Purcell and built in Dublin by Jessop Brown at One of the most valued services by the citizens of
the City Wheel Works at a cost of £97. It was a four- Dublin City & County is that of the Dublin Fire Brigade
wheeled enclosed vehicle with solid rubber tyres, (DFB), fire based emergency medical service (EMS).
drawn by two horses and crewed by three firemen. DFB’s fire based EMS service’s foundation is reliant
The space beneath the driver’s seat held a battery on a dedicated, highly educated and skilled brigade
to supply electric light, as well as bandages, splints of first responders. A brigade that has been ready to
etc. The interior was 6ft 3in long, 4ft 6in wide and 5ft respond in the times of need of the citizens of Dublin
10in high, with louvres on both sides and at the rear. for 125 years. Spanning through three centuries,
There were two folding stretchers, one suspended changes have occurred in our means of transport,
above the other, the upper one supported by folding skill level and uniform, but the one element that has
stays hanging from the roof, the lower one resting not changed is our ethos of public service and pride in
on upright supports fitted with joints enabling them the service we provide
ANNUAL REPORT 2024 Tuarascáil Bhliantúil 2024 59
