Cold water poured on Fianna Fail Fire Station recue plan
THE ongoing heated debate on the proposed closure of the fire stations in Banagher, Daingean and Kilcormac has increased this week as the local communities had their say on the latest proposals.
An action group comprising residents from the three areas met in Kilcormac last week and examined the rescue plans from the Fianna Fil group which were put forward as an alternative to the closure of the stations.
As a result of the meeting the action group released a statement which recognised that there were a number of good points in the proposal to cut the costs.
However the statement added that the group felt that the proposal that Fire Stations work with a five man crew were not feasible.
According to the group, the requirement for Health and Safety is that a minimum of six fire fighters attend to every call and the group added that this would mean that every fire fighter would need to be available at all times around the clock.
The action group also stated that the proposal for fire fighters from Tullamore, Edenderry or Birr on a roster basis would not work due to the time it would take to travel.
"The group want to state that we need eight persons in each station to ensure the safety of the fire fighters and a good service to the community," the statement concluded.
Asked to comment, Cllr Peter Ormond, who put forward the proposals for the Fianna Fil group, said they were studying the comments and would meet this week with Director of Services Frank Heslin and Chief Fire Officer Eoin O'Ceilleachair.
Meanwhile Independent Cllr John Leahy said he would be issuing a letter to Mr Heslin, Mr O'Ceilleachair and the remaining 20 Offaly County Councillors stating that if the proposal to close Banagher, Daingean and Kilcormac Fire Stations is adopted, it would cost €500,000 something he says was not outlined by the Director of Services when he briefed the 21 Councillors on the matter in October.
After consulting with the three town committees, the National Retained Fire Fighters Association, in particular James Farrell, Cllr Leahy expressed his disappointment that Offaly County Council presented a plan to make cuts that he claims did not make an accurate assessment of what the repercussions would be for the three communities, the 11 fire fighters losing their jobs and the financial cost to replace the three stations, as a full emergency service would still have to be made available to the three areas.
In estimating the cost increase, Cllr Leahy, using Kilcormac as an example said that the cost of a standard one hour call for a chimney fire would increase from €352 to €1,310 which included travelling time to and from the call.
"This does not take account of any additional time which might result from bad road conditions, lack of local knowledge, busy periods such as school times, road works," he added.
Cllr Leahy said that if that average increase was transposed across the average number of calls for the three station threatened with closure, the increase in cost would equate to a minimum of €222,600.
Other additional costs to be factored in, he said, were vehicles, equipment, and buildings, increase in fuel consumption, extra maintenance costs on vehicles and specialist equipment. He also estimates €230,000 as being the cost of making eleven fire fighters redundant.
"In total Offaly County Council will have to find a minimum €532,600 which was never accounted for in their initial proposal to save half a million," he remarked.
Cllr Leahy concluded by saying that the potential delay in getting to a fire incurred by closing the three stations could cause fires to escalate out of control and he was adamant that fire fighters entering into areas with no local knowledge was 'putting them at risk and adding to delays in dealing with the incidents'.
He said the only solution was to fully man the three stations providing adequate call out times with local fire fighters who have a greater understanding of the area which will make a difference in saving homes and lives.
See Also
87 year old woman dies in Kilcormac fire tragedy
Community in shock at tragic death
Alternative proposals set out to rescue fire stations
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