Fewer people calling the fire service – 2013 costs revealed

There has been a significant reduction in the number of fire service call-outs in Donegal. In the year to November 19th there were 875 call-outs compared to 1148 the previous year.
According to Donegal County Council’s Draft Budget for 2013, there were 83 less domestic fires and 171 fewer gorse fires.
The council says that all incidents were dealt with using normal fire service resources with the exception of a gorse fire in Glengesh in May which required the assistance of the Air Corp Helicopter.
Meanwhile the council says it continues to seek Departmental approval for new fire stations in Bundoran, Ballyshannon and Glencolumcille.
As it relates to call-out charges, the council says it continues to try and strike the balance between recouping costs but not to the extent that it acts as a deterrent to people calling the fire service in the event of a fire.
With that in mind, a call-out to a chimney fire will cost a minimum of 250 euro while other domestic fires will cost at least 500 euro. Those that have only Social Welfare as an income will not have pay.
The council estimates these charges, along with other call-outs and inspections, will raise revenue in 2013 of 812  thousand euro.