Bree wants firefighters to receive 1916 commemorative medals too

A member of Sligo County Council was the fire service to receive 1916 commemorative medals.

Councillor Declan Bree told last week’s Council meeting that in 2016 to mark the centenary of the 1916 Easter Rising, this State awarded medals to the serving members of the front line emergency services; An Garda Siochana, the Defence Forces, the Civil Defence and the National Ambulance Service.

“However members of the fire services did not receive commemorative medals.

“This glaring oversight has caused deep hurt and offence to the members of the fire service nationwide.

“Like others involved in the front line services, the members of the fire service are professionally trained to protect and save lives in the community.

“And all of us are aware that on occasions they deal with some of the most horrific scenes imaginable.

“It would appear that medals were not presented to firefighters because no individual Minister or Department took the initiative in issuing a directive or guidance in regard to the provision of such medals.

“The National Retained Firefighters Association has highlighted this matter and have rightly pointed out that they are not going to accept second class status for their members. “Even at this late stage the Association believes that this wrong must be rectified.

“In this context, as the great majority of fire service members are employed by local authorities I believe that the Irish Association of Local Government could take the initiative in drafting proposals for the provision of such medals and the presentation of such medals to members of the fire service who served in the centenary year, 2016. He proposed: “Noting the failure of the State to award 1916 centenary commemorative medals to members of the fire service, this Council asks the Irish Association of Local Government (IALG) to: (a) draft proposals for the for provision of such medals and the presentation of such medals to members of the fire service who served in the centenary year (2016) in each local authority area in the state; (b) request each local authority to contribute the necessary funding to cover the costs of the commemorative medals; (c) request the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government to assist the local authorities and to make a financial contribution towards the costs.” The motion was adopted.