Firefighters’ group claims vital positions not filled

A GROUP representing firefighters in Ireland has hit out at government budget cuts which it says are hitting emergency services.

The Fire and Emergency Services Association says that budget cuts are affecting training and that vital positions within the service are not being filled. The organisation is also concerned about the number of fire stations being closed around the country.

“Already in Co Offaly three part-time stations have been closed in the former taoiseach’s constituency,” said association chairman John Kidd. “They closed the fire service in three stations to save €100,000. We had 1,550 full time firefighters and we are now down to 1,350 nationally.”