SIPTU expresses concern at withdrawal from service of two fire appliances in Dublin

SIPTU Firefighter representatives have expressed grave concern over the withdraw from service of two Dublin Fire Brigade appliances and the impact that this could have on the delivery of critical emergency services in Dublin. SIPTU Sector Organiser, Brendan O’Brien, said: “Our members have been extremely concerned to learn that two fire appliances have been taken out of service today (Monday, 25th September). One appliance was based in the North Strand Fire Station and 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. “This ongoing depletion of fire appliance cover is due to a failure by management to maintain minimum safety critical manning levels. This approach runs directly counter to the SIPTU Firefighters campaign highlighting the need 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. “We are calling upon Dublin City Council to immediately bring forward proposals to address this serious issue in order to ensure the ability of Dublin Fire Brigade to provide emergency services which are not compromised.”