A ‘frustrating lack of action and political leadership’ from the government has been blamed for the retention and recruitment crisis in the firefighting service, according to Donegal’s Sinn Féin TDs.
As retained firefighters escalate industrial action today, five of Donegal’s 15 brigades will be going on strike.
In Donegal today, fire stations have silenced their pagers for 24 hours of strike action in Letterkenny, Donegal Town, Killybegs, Dungloe and Buncrana.
The strikes will continue to roll out throughout Donegal’s fire brigades over the coming days until meaningful dialogue takes place on pay and work-life balance.
All fire brigades in county Donegal are crewed by retained firefighters.
The National Retained Firefighters Association of Ireland says there are many restrictions associated with the profession: “Whole-time Retained Fire-fighters earn approx. €700 per month which equates to 99c per hour. For this they must adhere to the following draconian work rules; Be on-call 24/7 365 days per year; Always stay within 3 km of the station and to attend the station within five minutes of a call; Attend approx. 8 weeks of compulsory training in their 1st year to qualify as a Firefighter.”
Sinn Féin TDs for Donegal Pearse Doherty and Pádraig MacLochlainn have said that retained firefighters in Donegal deserve urgent action.
The Deputies called on government TDs to stop paying lip service to the service’s recruitment and retention crisis, to increase the fixed incomes of firefighters, and to increase staffing levels in order to build and maintain a fit-for-purpose service.
Speaking ahead of a Sinn Féin motion on the issue, Teachta Doherty, said: “The demands being placed upon retained firefighters and their families are unsustainable.
“Without action on incomes and conditions, the future of services provided by retained firefighters is in doubt, putting lives at risk. Government action is needed urgently to save these crucial services.
“We need these services to keep the people of Donegal safe, and retained firefighters deserve better pay and a better work-life balance.
“It is time for the government and Minister Darragh O’Brien to stop paying lip service and to sort these issues now to ensure communities continue to have crucial fire services.”
Teachta MacLochlainn added: “The government must urgently engage with representative bodies acting on behalf of the retained firefighters to avert an escalation of industrial action.
“There has been a frustrating lack of action and political leadership from the government to resolve these issues that have led to the retention and recruitment crisis, and TDs here in Donegal need to speak up for the communities they represent.
“Sinn Féin in government would intervene urgently to increase the fixed incomes of firefighters and increase staffing levels to build a service that is fit-for-purpose.”
In a statement, Donegal County Council said its priority during the strikes is to ensure public safety.
A spokesperson said: “Householders should ensure that they have working smoke alarms fitted and that they are checked weekly. Business owners should ensure that they have a functioning fire detection and alarm system fitted and that it is within its service schedule.”
Requests for fire brigade assistance should continue to be made as normal by dialling 999 or 112
