Fire service under threat from cutbacks

LIMERICK fire service is the latest public utility to come under threat from cutbacks in local government.

Limerick City Council is now carrying out a review of the €8.7 million a year cost of running the service, to see what cutbacks can be made without posing a threat to public safety.

The council said yesterday all options are being considered including changes to personnel structures.

Staffing of the 24/7 service costs in the region of €5.5m.

However, it is not proposed to seek redundancies among the city’s firefighters as part of the cost-cutting measures.

Limerick City Council director of services Caroline Curley said the fire service was the last place they wanted to include in cost-cutting.

Ms Curley said: “Every area of operation within Limerick City Council has been looked at over the past seven to eight years and we have tried to make savings and tighten our belts, because of the financial situation. The fire service is one area which we have stayed relatively clear of. The reality of life today is that we can’t afford that luxury anymore. We now have to examine it and see what costs cutting we can do in that area. I would stress that it is the costs we are trying to cut and not the services. We are obliged to provide a good fire service which we hope to continue to do.”

Cllr John Gilligan said when you talk about the fire service, you are talking about life and death and it must be protected.

He said: “The fire service in Limerick was never over-staffed and is highly professional. Not alone has it to cover Limerick city, it also covers outlying areas including the university. The fire service is the core of the entire emergency service in Limerick and the region. To think of any cutbacks in this service, you are talking about playing with people’s lives. I would appeal to the council to remember the person who at some stage will have to dial 999, expecting an immediate response. If that response is to be altered due to cutbacks, then that is frightening.”

The Mayor of Limerick Cllr Maria Byrne has singled out members of the Limerick fire service for the bravery they have shown in a number of recent rescues of people from the Shannon.