SIPTU members in Dublin Fire Brigade (DFB) have raised serious concerns about staffing levels in the service following the confirmation that several fire appliances were sent into operation today (Friday, 6th October) while undermanned. SIPTU Sector Organiser, Brendan O’Brien, said: “The DFB was operating today while it was one officer and 14 firefighters below is full agreed complement. This was despite DFB management fully exhausting the list of firefighters available for overtime as well as removing recruits from training and into operations. “One northside fire station was down eight personnel at 9.00 a.m., out of its complement of 19. On previous occasions when the overall understaffing of the DFB has resulted in such issues, management has taken appliances out of operation. Today, it was decided to send them into operation while undermanned.” He added: “DFB is seriously understaffed with the result that its ability to maintain services to the public is being compromised. DFB management has sought to mitigate these shortages by the inordinate use of overtime, which cannot be sustained, along with the cancelling of critical safety training courses. This is resulting in the safety of the public and of our members in DFB being compromised.”
SIPTU condemns Dublin Fire Brigade members being forced to use undermanned appliances
