Retained firefighters’ proposals are very reasonable and ‘deserve government support’, according to Independent TD, Thomas Pringle.
Part-time firefighters escalate industrial action yesterday and five of Donegal’s 15 brigades went on strike.
The local fire stations in question silenced their pagers for 24 hours of strike action in Letterkenny, Donegal town, Killybegs, Dungloe and Buncrana.
Deputy Pringle also criticised government and local authorities for rostering on-duty crews who are on strike, calling it ‘dangerous and disappointing.’
Addressing the Dáil yesterday, Deputy Pringle said: “It is a sad reflection on the Department and the Government that the firefighters feel that they have no other option but to take strike action to have their concerns listened to by the Government.”
While the firemen have commenced a rolling stoppage across the country, he pointed out they are making sure to leave no area without coverage while trying to have their grievance heard as well.
He said a recent survey by the Department showed 58% of current firefighters are likely to leave the service in the next three years.
“The situation is so bad that many stations can only manage a bare turn-out and cannot let anyone go on leave because they would not be able to answer a call at all,” he added.
“At least one station in Donegal is down to five firemen. In another station, area advertisements were made for staff recruitment with no applications because of the area rule where firemen have to be living within 2.5km of the station.”
Deputy Pringle said the fire service plays a very important role in our communities and deserves the support of everyone in the country, including the government.
