Fire fears as appliances are withdrawn

THE withdrawal from service of fire appliances from two Dublin stations has compromised the safety of both the public and firefighters, it was claimed last week.

SIPTU Firefighter representatives have expressed grave concern over the impact on the delivery of critical emergency services in the city after the two fire appliances, one of which was based at Dolphin’s Barn Fire Station, were withdrawn.

 “Our members have been extremely concerned to learn that two fire appliances have been taken out of service,” SIPTU Sector Organiser, Brendan O’Brien, said.

“One appliance was based in the North Strand Fire Station while the other in Dolphin’s Barn Fire Station had just provided the first response to a recent domestic fire, which was widely reported in the media.”

Five fire engines and five ambulances from stations at Dolphin’s Barn as well as Tara Street attended the scene of a major emergency rescue operation following a large domestic fire at a flat complex in Inchicore recently.

 “This ongoing depletion of fire appliance cover is due to a failure by management to maintain minimum safety critical manning levels,” Mr O’Brien claimed.

 “This approach runs directly counter to our campaign to maintain and expand manning levels.”

 He added: “This unacceptable situation needs to be urgently addressed by providing the necessary resources to ensure Dublin Fire Brigade can maintain its safety critical emergency service.

“The failure by management to provide minimum safety critical manning levels compromises the safety of both the public and our firefighter members.”

Mr O’Brien has called on Dublin City Council to immediately bring forward proposals to “address this serious issue”.

A spokesperson for Dublin City Council said that on a number of occasions desired operational crewing levels may not be achieved, mainly as a result of leave, training and staff absences.

“A longstanding arrangement to supplement these vacancies via non compulsory overtime exists,” the spokesperson said.

“However, occasionally full crewing levels may not be achieved because of non-availability of personnel on overtime.”