War of words over rural fire station closures

A war of words has broken out between Waterford County Council and firefighters in the county over claims some rural stations are being closed for days to facilitate training.

The Irish Fire and Emergency Services Association (IFESA) said lives are being put at risk due to smaller, retained stations having to close down for periods of up to three days to accommodate training. It claimed Cappoquin station in Co Waterford closed for 72 hours last week and is due to close for a similar period in the near future.

The IFESA also said that the Dunmore station closed at Hallowe’en and, in both cases, cover had to be provided by nearby stations, with longer call-out times.