There have been a number of calls locally on the Goverment to take action to resolve the recruitment and retention crisis in the Retained Fire Service, which has seen retained firefighters embark on industrial action this week.
The action began on Tuesday with a campaign of non-cooperation by the part-time firefighters, who are paid a retainer to be on call for emergencies at all times. If the crisis is not resolved, a series of rolling strikes will begin from next week.
Cllr Aengus O’Rourke, who met retained firefighters in Athlone last week ahead of their industrial action, said their pay and conditions were “not fit for purpose” given the nature of their service and the dangers they face in the course of their work.
“Unfortunately, right now, our retained fire service is struggling to maintain adequate numbers to allow for safe operations, with crew numbers declining in all counties across the country,” he said.
“This, in turn, is leading to even greater pressure being brought to bear on the current firefighters retained in the service
“People will be surprised to learn that a whole-time retained firefighter earns approximately €700 per month, which equates to 99 cent per hour. For this, they must be on call 24 hours, seven days a week, 360 days a year. But that’s not all, they must also stay within 2.5km of the station at all times, attend the station within five minutes of a call and attend eight weeks of compulsory training in the first year to qualify as a firefighter. There are also many other restrictions in addition to these.
“All the retained firefighters are asking for is a fair salary for a very difficult and dangerous job, which involves huge commitment to the local community. Surely it is time to review the role of a retained fire firefighter, make it a professional full-time role within the local authority that attracts proper decent pay and in turn a decent work-life balance.”
Meanwhile, Deputy Sorca Clarke has called on her constituency colleagues to urge Minister Darragh O’Brien to take immediate action to resolve the crisis. The Sinn Féin TD for Longford-Westmeath warned that a failure to do so would put the lives of firefighters and public in Longford Westmeath at risk.
“If the Government continues to refuse to address the core issues at the heart of the recruitment and retention crisis in the Retained Fire Service, members of the NRFA will be reluctantly forced to close half of all stations in one week’s time,” she said yesterday. “And, if no meaningful attempt is made by the Government to address the ongoing difficulties, all Retained Fire Stations will close in two weeks’ time.
“I know from my dealings with members of the Retained Fire Service that they are the most dedicated professionals who regularly put their lives on the line in the course of their duty. They do not want to be in this position but feel that they have no choice. I am calling on the TDs who are members of the parties in Government to stand up for fire fighters in their community, and the people they serve, and to urge Minister Darragh O’Brien to act now to resolve the crisis. Failure to do so will put the lives of fire fighters and the public in Longford and Westmeath at risk.”
