Firefighters claim call-out charges put lives in danger

Fire call-out charges are deterring people from seeking help in emergencies and should be removed immediately to help save lives, it has been claimed.

The Irish Fire and Emergency Services Association (IFESA) has warned the charges of up to €100 covering the costs of firefighter call-outs for local councils are a potential risk to the public’s safety.

IFESA national chairman John Kidd said the organisation is aware of cases where people have attempted to avoid the charge by phoning gardaí rather than the fire service, thereby wasting valuable response time.