Call for action as retained firefighters go on strike

By Tamara O’Connell

LOCAL SIPTU retained firefighters are demanding action in conjunction with retained firefighters across the State.

Paul Nugent from Knockbridge is a retained sub officer for Dundalk Fire Station and a national retained rep for Louth.

Paul is campaigning to highlight staff retention issues and a recruitment crisis in the Retained Fire Service.

The Retained Fire Service is a 2,000 strong part-time workforce which provides fire and first responder emergency services across the country apart from county Dublin, Cork City and Galway City where full-time fire services operate.

According to SIPTU, a lack of available crews means that adequate responses by the service are coming under increasing pressure and could collapse.

SIPTU maintains that in many counties there are less applicants for positions in the Retained Fire Service than vacancies.

“I started back in 2012 and there were around 14 guys in training. They were to go to three retained stations in Co Louth,” said Paul.

“There was one crew in Drogheda and one crew in Dundalk and two guys to go out to Carlingford to boost numbers there.

“Eleven years on and I’m the only one remaining from that panel. There is no worklife balance. There is too much of a commitment required.”

He added: “Since my wife and I had a baby, it’s become very stressful. It’s hard to attract people to the job.

“The retainer is €8,500 per year and you also get call out fees but the call out fees are not taken into account by banks for loans or mortgage applications.

“What will happen eventually if the system continues as it is, Carlingford, Ardee and Dunleer won’t have enough people.”

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