A group of firefighters from the Letterkenny Fire Service have launched a petition urging the Government to reverse planned cuts to their resources, which they say will have a “drastic and imminent” effect on public safety in the town.
Plans are in place to introduce drastic cuts to the Letterkenny Fire Service, including the removal of their second fire engine, the removal of Letterkenny’s water tanker and incident command vehicle, as well as substantial cuts to the number of firefighters on duty at the station.
A petition has now been launched by Letterkenny Fire Service members, urging the Government to reverse the proposed cuts.
In a statement issued to Donegal Daily, Letterkenny Fire Station’s Sub Station Officer, Michael Purtill, has warned of the “devastating impact” these cuts will have.
“These resources are essential for effectively responding to emergencies and ensuring the safety of both the public and our firefighters, as well as maintaining local employment,” he said on behalf of firefighters stationed in Letterkenny.
“The decision to implement these cuts has been presented to us as a fait accompli, with management stating that the changes will proceed regardless of our concerns.”
“We were told, ‘if you don’t like it, take us to court.’ This dictatorial approach is deeply disrespectful and undermines the vital role we play in protecting our community and providing local jobs.”
He has also criticised the framing of the cuts by those in charge.
“We are particularly troubled by the justification given for these cuts. We are being told that these reductions are a consequence of firefighters seeking a better work-life balance. While we firmly believe in the importance of work-life balance for all workers, including firefighters, we refuse to accept that the safety of our community and the livelihoods of our firefighters should be compromised as a result.”
“It is unconscionable to punish firefighters for seeking reasonable working conditions, and, more importantly, to punish the public by diminishing the emergency services they rely upon, and to damage the local economy by job losses.”
The following concerns have also been raised by Letterkenny Fire Service members as a direct result of the proposed cuts:
- Slower response times from the fire service.
- An increased risk to both firefighters and the public.
- A diminished ability to effectively handle complex emergencies.
- The loss of the water tanker in Letterkenny will severely hamper their ability to fight fires, especially in areas with limited water supply.
- The direct loss of jobs within the Letterkenny community.
- Further increased vulnerability due to the difficulty of backup from Stranorlar, which can be delayed by up to 30 minutes due to traffic on the Port Road.
The firefighters also cite the rapid development and growth of the town in recent years, which “significantly increase the risk profile for Letterkenny.”
