Firefighters claim call-out charges put lives in danger
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.
Mr Kidd said some firefighters have reported being verbally and physically abused by people who have called them out to emergencies, only to be faced with a charge. In addition, he said, some local councils are failing to tell people of waiver schemes or canceling them entirely.
“The IFESA does not agree with the principle of having fire charges for domestic fires in people’s homes,” Mr Kidd said.
“This charge was not proposed or sought by the firefighters in the fire service. It was imposed by the executive officers of the councils and supported and voted into being by the elected county councillors.
“The sole purpose of these charges is to act as a deterrent to the public from calling the fire services.
“The number of calls drop dramatically due to the fear of unknown charges and then they use this to justify cuts to the fire service.
“Firefighters are reporting huge added pressure at incidents, as they would normally know the people involved and are aware of the charges,” Mr Kidd said.
“This has and will continue to raise potential serious health and safety issues.”
According to figures compiled across all local authorities during a baseline study of the issue by the Department of the Environment, over €8.4m in fire call-out charges was requested from the public in 2008. However, of this figure, almost half was not collected or was not paid as the person who made the call refused.
The worst-hit county was Galway, which billed for €900,000 but received €350,000, while counties Monaghan (€700,000 billed; €370,000 received) and Westmeath (€700,000 billed, €300,000 received) had the next-highest deficits.
All of the €400,000 for Co Cork was paid that year. Co Kerry saw €100,000 billed and €60,000 received, while Co Limerick billed €400,000 and received €180,000.
