Protesting firefighters turn up heat

Firefighters from across the country descended on Dublin yesterday to voice their opposition to proposed reductions in staffing levels on crews.

The two unions representing the country’s 3,000 part-time and full-time fire fighters are set to hold more demonstrations and Siptu, which represents most staff, is balloting for industrial action.

Organisers estimated that more than 300 fire fighters, comprising full-time staff in Dublin and representatives of part-timers from across the country, took part in the march from Parnell Street to Government Buildings.

Siptu firefighter Brian Tracey, from Rathfarnam Fire station, holds his son Michael Tracey, 2, during yesterday’s protest.

The proposals — contained in a department circular to local authorities — suggests that while it was preferable for a normal crew of five to be dispatched to all incidents, a minimum of four could be deployed in certain situations.

Leaders of Siptu and Impact, Gene Mealy and Phil McFadden respectively, sent a joint letter to Environment Minister Alan Kelly yesterday.

“We have sought to be provided with the relevant risk assessments and support documentation associated with the proposed reductions, however, these have not been forthcoming to date,” it stated.

“Our members in both the retained and full-time fire services have also been actively engaged in an ongoing campaign in relation to the section 26 plans, where we have outlined our concerns regarding the dangerous elements contained within the ‘Keeping Communities Safe’ proposals.”

It added: “The current situation whereby the department are now seeking to implement the reductions in crewing levels and pre-determined attendances without providing the relevant risk assessments and support documentation leaves us with no choice but to take our concerns to the streets.”

Siptu sector organiser Brendan O’Brien said

this was about health and safety, not just of his members, but also of the public. The result of the Siptu ballot should be known by the middle of next month, he said.

Mr O’Brien said this department document, circulated under its ‘Keeping Communities Safe’ policy, aimed to reduce the number of retained (part-time) and full-time crews. He said the minimum number should be six — enough to operate machinery and pumps, rescue people and provide back up if fire fighters themselves get into trouble.

He said the department had failed to respond to union requests for their risk assessment on the proposed cuts to crews.

“They are pushing on with the proposals and ignoring the consequences,” Mr O’Brien said. “We have to take whatever steps are required to stop that.”

Minister Kelly said: “We want to strengthen and enhance the fire service in Ireland. The door remains open to Siptu and other trade union bodies for further talks on the future operation of the fire services.”

He said local authority funding for fire service had been maintained despite a general reduction in local government spending and that the staff number of the firefighter services had not been reduced over the last four years.