Sinn Féin Councillor Daithí Doolan is calling for extra fire fighters to be employed in Dublin ‘as a matter of urgency.’
The Ballyfermot/Drimnagh councillor was speaking ahead of a planned protest by SIPTU and Dublin Fire Brigade at the Mansion House at 5.30 this evening.
“Dublin Fire Brigade is facing an unprecedented staffing crisis,” he said.
“There are currently 965 fire fighters in Dublin Fire Brigade.
“Standards dictate we should have over 1,000.
“This shortfall has created a life and death situation for the service and the public its serves.
“Dublin Fire Brigade now depends on overtime to keep the service going.
“This is bad practise and very dangerous. It leads to exhaustion which can have deadly consequences
“This summer saw fire trucks off the road and many fire stations not fully staffed. More recently on September 28th, 6 fire trucks were off the road while another 9 trucks were not fully staffed. This is totally unacceptable.
“It puts lives at risk. Particularly as we face in to Halloween, traditionally the busiest time of the year for emergency services.
“Sinn Féin is actively working with others including SIPTU to resolve the crisis. We are demanding that extra staff employed as a matter urgently.
“There are 80 people on the staff panel and a further 300 applicants waiting to be interviewed.
“These applications could and should be processed as a matter of urgency.
“On Monday we will be supporting the SIPTU and Dublin Fire Brigade protest outside the Dublin City Council meeting.
“We are demanding that management respond to this crisis by immediately employing recruits, getting them trained and working as fire fighter’s.”