Firefighters from the Letterkenny Fire Service have launched a petition, calling on the Government to reverse planned cuts to their resources.
The service had been informed last week that the cuts included the removal of the second fire engine, a substantial reduction in crew numbers and the loss of the vital water tanker and incident command vehicle for Letterkenny.
They say the petition has been set up to demonstrate the strength of public opposition to these proposed changes and to demand that these critical resources and jobs are maintained.
The petition can be found HERE.
Full Statement
We have been informed that Letterkenny Fire Services are facing a significant cut, including:
Removal of the second fire engine.
A substantial reduction in crew numbers, leading to job losses.
The loss of the vital water tanker and incident command vehicle for Letterkenny.
These resources are essential for effectively responding to emergencies and ensuring the safety of both the public and our firefighters, as well as maintaining local employment.
The decision to implement these cuts has been presented to us as a fait accompli, with management stating that the changes will proceed regardless of our concerns. We were told, “if you don’t like it, take us to court.” This dictatorial approach is deeply disrespectful and undermines the vital role we play in protecting our community and providing local jobs.
We are particularly troubled by the justification given for these cuts. We are being told that these reductions are a consequence of firefighters seeking a better work-life balance. While we firmly believe in the importance of work-life balance for all workers, including firefighters, we refuse to accept that the safety of our community and the livelihoods of our firefighters should be compromised as a result. It is unconscionable to punish firefighters for seeking reasonable working conditions, and, more importantly, to punish the public by diminishing the emergency services they rely upon, and to damage the local economy by job losses.
These cuts will have a devastating impact:
Slower response times.
Increased risk to both firefighters and the public.
A diminished ability to effectively handle complex emergencies.
The loss of the water tanker in Letterkenny will severely hamper our ability to fight fires, especially in areas with limited water supply.
Direct loss of jobs within the Letterkenny community.
Increased vulnerability due to the difficulty of backup from Stranorlar, which can be delayed by up to 30 minutes due to traffic on the Port Road.
Furthermore, Letterkenny is a rapidly developing area with significant growth:
Letterkenny University Hospital is undergoing substantial expansion.
A new 100-bed community hospital is nearing completion.
Multiple large housing projects are in planning stages.
New commercial buildings are under construction.
These developments significantly increase the risk profile of Letterkenny, making the proposed resource cuts an incredibly dangerous backward step.
We have launched a petition to demonstrate the strength of public opposition to these proposed changes and to demand that these critical resources and jobs are maintained.
You can view and sign the petition here: https://my.uplift.ie/petitions/save-letterkenny-s-fire-service?source=rawlink&utm_medium=myuplift&utm_source=launched&share=21b8c503-e021-4c49-b5a4-c636724da945
