Delay in fire service response was a matter of 'life and death', Seanad told
Smoke billowing from the recent fire at Meelick, Loughglynn.
The issue of fire service cover for the Castlerea area was again raised in the Seanad this afternoon.
Senator Gareth Scahill called on the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to conduct an independent review of the fire brigade Service areas nationally. This review would take account of demographics, response time analysis, and the impact of climate related events.
Speaking in the Seanad this afternoon, the Castlerea man said that the review should be done to align with the most recent census data “And more importantly with the real need of our people on the ground,” he said. “This is not just a call for policy, it’s a call for protection, preparedness and for the lives that depend on a timely emergency response.”
He said that recent events in Counties Roscommon and Longford have laid bare the pressures on fire services, particularly in rural areas and in areas with older populations.
Senator Scahill highlighted the massive gorse fire that affected the west of the county on April 9th, that required five fire services to attend.
“Three weeks later there was a similar incident between Trien and Williamstown,” he said. “These are not isolated incidents, they are warnings.” He asked what happens when multiple brigades respond to major events, “who covers the towns and communities left behind?”.
He also asked is the state satisfied that enough was being done to ensure older people or people with mobility issues were protected.
“Are we satisfied that our fire services are distributed fairly and efficiently?” he asked, stressing the fire services were doing a brilliant job, saying it was a service everyone was proud of.
“But they are doing so under significant strain,” he said. “Take Castlerea, my own hometown, a town with a population of 3,000-3,500 people where the fire station has been closed since 2017.” Senator Scahill told the Seanad that last Wednesday evening, a housefire broke out in the town.
“A retired fire officer was on the radio the following morning saying that if the station had existed in Castlerea the response time would have been seven to nine minutes,” he said, adding that now the nearest units were 16 miles or 20-30 minutes away.
“In an emergency that is not just the difference between a scorched field or lost home, it is the difference between life and death.”
He asked the minister to conduct the review to ensure that towns like Castlerea had the safety they deserved.
“In rural areas, like Castlerea, delayed emergency services can have life threatening consequences.” He added that according to performance indicators nationally the average per capita cost for a fire service was between €61.5 and €63.5.
“Yet in Roscommon the cost is €36.86 to €38.50, so I do believe there is an imbalance in certain areas.”
Minister of State John Cummins thanked the senator for again raising the issue. He said that a review has been commissioned by the National Directorate for the Fire and Emergency Management which is due to begin in quarter 3 of this year.
