Councillors voice their support for Donegal's firefighters

Donegal's firefighters received a boost yesterday (Monday) with unanimous support coming from the members of the Lifford-Stranorlar Municipal District in relation to their decision to take strike action this week.

Councillors voiced their concerns that they have had to go this far to get their demands considered but assured them of their wholehearted support.

During the meeting, Cllr Gary Doherty said he wanted to extend his solidarity and support to all the firefighters in the county.

"Our firefighters are exceptional people and they put themselves in the most hazardous and tragic of situations on a daily and weekly basis to care for all of us in the community. It is only right and proper that they are paid properly for the work they do."

He added they were also entitled to a proper work-life balance that allowed them to fulfil their duties and also to enjoy time off with their families

"I would call on the Government to do the right thing and treat our firefighters correctly," he said.

Cllr Gerry Crawford also voiced his support saying on other occasions in his life he had been associated with the fire service and he fully agreed it was hazardous work.

"They do it quietly and efficiently, they are professional in all those tragic circumstances and I think people in their position would not be putting themselves in a position of strike or industrial action if they did not think it a worthy cause because they are so committed, so dedicated and so worried about what they are doing."

Cllr Patrick McGowan said all councillors had a big affinity with the local fire service and he knew they all supported them.

"They are called out to accidents, fires and other emergencies and they go beyond the call of duty. We understand negotiations are ongoing but they have 100% support from us and we would like to see a favourable solution. It's regrettable that it has had to go this far," he added.

Director of economic development, emergency services and information systems, Garry Martin said he wanted to acknowledge the ongoing industrial action.

"Fire service management is working closely with national bodies and SIPTU locally with a view to mitigating the impact of the strike and ensuring there continues to be an adequate and fit-for-purpose response in the event of a call out.

"We will continue to work along those lines in the course of this industrial action," he said.