Organised water safety in Ireland really began in Milltown Malbay, Co Clare in the 1930s when a lady drowned there. This galvanised the local community into forming a Water Safety Association to help swimmers who got into trouble. The idea spread through Co Clare and eventually to the whole country. The national water safety section, set up by the government, was run by the Red Cross.
The four-month program for new chief officers and chief officer candidates is conducted by the state Firefighting Academy and Department of Fire Services, and the UMass Boston Edward J. Collins Jr. C…