Accommodation is needed for retained firefighters near local fire station
DROGHEDA’S retained firefighters should be housed in a suitable location close to the local fire station when on call.
That’s the view of Cllr Paul
Bell who has called Louth
County Council to engage with retained fire fighters and their Unions for the purpose of resolving a serious issue which is actively inhibiting fire appliance response times.
“I have become aware that Drogheda’s Retained
(part time) Firefighters all of whom are highly trained and motivated public servants are suffering from the impact of the property boom, in a way most of us would never think of until we need the service which these workers provide in the support of their full time comrades,’ he said.
Retained fire fighters respond to calls from their home and must reach the station within five minutes of the alert to attend.
There are two major issues impacting on the requirements - the unavailability of rental property in close proximity to the Rathmullan Road facility and depending on time of call out, traffic volume leaves them running over the time limit.
“I am aware that such is the gravity of the situation that fire appliances are mustered from Ardee and Dunleer for the purpose of backing up Drogheda fire fighters when responding to an incident. I am also aware and deeply concerned that retained firefighters are leaving the service and that recruitment competitions have proven unsuccessful with potential candidates declining employment. In response to this situation which is deteriorating by the week, I am to propose that Louth County Council either construct or acquire a suitable property in close proximity to the fire station to accommodate retained fire fighters when “on call”.