Robust contingency plans in place in Longford as fire service industrial action begins

All emergency calls involving life-threatening situations in Longford will be responded to during the fire service industrial action.

Longford County Council has this evening released a statement to assure the public that every effort will be made to mitigate any risk to them arising from any industrial action.

The Trade Union SIPTU has advised that its members in the Retained Fire Service, including those with Longford Fire Service, as part of Longford County Council, will commence industrial action from today, Tuesday, June 6.

This will be followed by rolling strikes on Tuesday, June 13 and all out strikes on Tuesday, June 20.

Longford County Council has stated that as part of the normal industrial relations protocol of agreeing contingency plans, it has engaged with SIPTU at local level to put in place robust contingency arrangements.

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The local authority stressed, "Longford County Council wishes to assure the public that every effort will be made to mitigate any risk to them arising from any industrial action by SIPTU members."

The statement added, "SIPTU has confirmed that throughout the strike action its members will comply with the provisions of the Code of Practice on emergency disputes, to ensure that fire services are provided even in a strike situation. SIPTU has confirmed that all emergency calls involving life-threatening situations will be responded to."

Members of the public should therefore continue to call 112 or 999 in the case of an emergency.

The Longford County Council statement comes after SIPTU issued a statement of their own, prior to the weekend, suggesting that local authorities had failed to warn the public over the retained fire service dispute.

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Karan O Loughlin, SIPTU Divisional Organiser, said: “The lack of preparation by the local authorities for this dispute is shocking and irresponsible. Our members in the retained fire service are reporting that, in most counties, management has no specific contingency plans in place and are not undertaking any public information campaigns.

"Local authorities have a responsibility to advise the public that there will be disruption to the fire service but have not done so. On the week commencing June 13, 50% of the retained fire service will be on rolling work stoppages. 

“Our members are striking to get the local authorities to implement what has already been agreed nationally. Retained fire fighters are striking to ensure that the Government’s report on the future of the service will be implemented to resolve the recruitment and retention crisis that threatens to collapse this essential and life-saving community resource. Our local authority members in retained fire services have adopted an eminently reasonable position and it is up to management of the local authorities to inform the public about the consequences of the industrial action for which they are largely responsible.”

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Brendan O’ Brien, SIPTU Sector Organiser added: “SIPTU members in the retained fire service are serious and will strike until the local authorities come to their senses, re-establish their credibility and implement what they have already agreed. Strike committees are organised in every county across the country. Consequently, more industrial action and strike days can be expected if these matters are not resolved to the satisfaction of our members."