As the clock struck midnight last night, firefighters from across the country turned off their pagers and prepared themselves for days and maybe even weeks of industrial action.
In Donegal, five stations silenced their pagers for 24 hours of strike action. Crew members from Letterkenny, Donegal town, Killybegs, Dungloe and Buncrana gathered for a peaceful picket in both Lifford and Letterkenny.
This afternoon’s picket took place at Letterkenny Public Services Centre, highlighting the dispute to local councillors who were gathering for the June meeting of the Letterkenny-Milford Municipal District.
A spokesperson for the Donegal Firefighter’s Association said: “Not one Firefighter in the country wants to be here today. All stakeholders involved with emergency management in Ireland have stated that the retained fire service is not fit for purpose, and changes need to be made. These changes that have been promised by Government, failed to materialise during negotiations as it seems that there is no real will to change.
“We work 24/7, for 48 weeks of the year, live and work (if you are lucky to have a job) within 2.5 km radius of your station. You need permission to leave that area, to have a night off, to look after your kids, which is a constant worry if left on your own. The small amount of money a new recruit gets, isn’t even enough to pay the rent on a house for the year. The retained model as it stands is at the end, we ask Government to come to the table with the will to bring this service into the 21st century.
“The Donegal Firefighters Association humbly asks for the public support as we fight for ourselves.”
Retained firefighters met with councillors of the Letterkenny-Milford MD during their strike action at Letterkenny PSC
Rolling strikes are set to continue until 19th June in Donegal. Action will continue tomorrow at Milford, Ballyshannon, Glencolmcille, Gweedore and Carndonagh fire stations.
The Retained Fire Service is a 2,000 strong part-time workforce which provides fire and first responder emergency services across the country. All 15 fire brigades in County Donegal are crewed by retained firefighters.
In a statement, Donegal County Council said its priority during the strikes is to ensure public safety.
A spokesperson said: “Householders should ensure that they have working smoke alarms fitted and that they are checked weekly. Business owners should ensure that they have a functioning fire detection and alarm system fitted and that it is within its service schedule.”
Requests for fire brigade assistance should continue to be made as normal by dialling 999 or 112
