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Six Dublin Fire Brigade Appliances Off The Road Due To Staff Shortages

Laura Donnelly
Laura Donnelly

04:54 28 Sep 2021


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Staff shortages in Dublin Fire Brigade have left six appliances off the road today.

Appliances from Rathfarnham, Dun Laoghaire, North Strand, Phibsborough and Tara Street are out of action.

Figures from SIPTU also show several other appliances are operating without the required staffing levels.

Seven of the appliances which are in operation today are short staffed by one firefighter, while two other appliances are down by two.

Dublin City Council says: "DCC/DFB management continue to engage with the Unions through the conciliation process as set out at the WRC. Significant time and resources have been committed to help find an agreement and while this process continues management have no further comment to make."

"Worrying"

Labour Dublin Central Senator Marie Sherlock has called for an urgent review into the operations of the Dublin Fire Brigade service as staff shortages remain: "There is a very serious situation brewing within the Dublin Fire Brigade service which has not been properly resourced in terms of workforce or indeed in terms of physical equipment.

"Right throughout the summer we’ve had reports that up to five fire engines per day could not be deployed due to a lack of staffing. This is hugely worrying for the communities that the Brigade service, as well as staff who are totally under resourced.

"These issues are also impacting on the speed at which ambulance calls can be responded to. All Dublin Fire Brigade firefighers are trained to paramedic or advanced paramedic level and it is Dublin Fire Brigade who is responsible for ambulance service across the city. We know from staff within the fire brigade that there can be up to 30 calls queued at any point in time. If there was a critical incident in the city, the capacity of both the fire services and the ambulances services may not be able to respond."

Independent Councillor Noeleen Reilly says: "It is very concerning to learn that a number of fire appliances are off the road today due to staff shortages as well as many others operating under the required staffing levels.

"This is not only putting the safety of fire fighters at risk but the general public. The Dublin Fire Brigade have been calling for some time for increased staffing levels and an improvement to working conditions to enhance recruitment into the service.

"We are approaching Halloween and I'm very concerned about the ability of the fire service to perform its duty due to staffing levels.  No one should have to put their life at risk due to staff shortages."

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