Concern that there is ‘a gap’ in Inishowen’s fire service

An Inishowen councillor has called for clarity on whether there is “a gap” in the provision of fire services in the peninsula after it was revealed that the fire service in Northern Ireland responded to 93 callouts in Donegal last year.

Figures supplied by Donegal County Council show that  Donegal’s fire service was mobilised 935 times last year, dealing with 827 incidents.

Speaking at the recent meeting of the Inishowen Municipal District, Cllr Martin McDermott pointed out that the number of call-outs from the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service to incidents in Donegal averaged out at almost two a week.

He asked if there is a gap in the fire service in Inishowen saying the number of callouts to Donegal from the fire service in the North was “extremely high”. 

“From a fire perspective here in Inishowen and Donegal, we should be asking that question - why so many times?”

He also called for an update on when a fire tanker will be delivered to Inishowen.

Cllr Terry Crossan asked what the cost associated with the call-outs of the fire service from the North to the county was.

Cllr Johnny McGuinness also called for an update on the call for a water tanker for Inishowen, saying “it is of paramount importance”.

Last year a water tanker was acquired by the fire service in Donegal to be based in Letterkenny and to serve all stations in the county. The vehicle can transport water to the scene of operations. 

Councillors in Inishowen have been calling for the provision of a tanker to the peninsula alone for some time.

The meeting was told the queries on the reason for the number of callouts of the fire service across the border to the county and the cost would be followed up. Clarity is also to be sought on the agreements that are in place. An update is also to be given on the provision of a water tanker for Inishowen.