Paul Murphy on Dublin Fire Brigade: Alarm Over Dispatch Split
Paul Murphy raised concerns with the Tánaiste about an industrial dispute at Dublin Fire Brigade over a proposed computer-aided dispatch system, arguing it risks fragmenting fire and ambulance services. He said members had voted overwhelmingly for industrial action, including strike action, and called for a single dispatch system to protect public health and firefighter safety.
Paul Murphy raised with the Tánaiste an important industrial dispute concerning the proposed implementation of a new computer-aided dispatch system affecting Dublin Fire Brigade.
He said the membership of Dublin Fire Brigade have overwhelmingly voted for industrial action up to and including strike action in response to the proposal.
Under the proposal described in the debate, all fire brigades in the country would come under one dispatch system, but Dublin Fire Brigade's ambulance fleet would not be included, creating a split between fire response and ambulance services.
Murphy argued there has been no consultation with frontline firefighters and warned that splitting fire and ambulance services into two dispatch systems would fragment existing resources and create a clear risk to both public health and firefighter safety. He emphasised that it is an integrated fire, rescue and ambulance service and that it needs a single dispatch system to reflect that.
The Tánaiste urged engagement and consultation, encouraged both the State side and the union side to engage intensively, acknowledged past points of friction in Dublin between ambulance and fire provision, and said the use of technology is positive while accepting the point about the need for alignment. The Tánaiste said the minister and the department will be asked to come back on the issue.
Industrial dispute raised
Paul Murphy raised with the Tánaiste an important industrial dispute concerning the proposed implementation of a new computer-aided dispatch system affecting Dublin Fire Brigade.
Membership support for action
He said the membership of Dublin Fire Brigade have overwhelmingly voted for industrial action up to and including strike action in response to the proposal.
Dispatch proposal details
Under the proposal described in the debate, all fire brigades in the country would come under one dispatch system, but Dublin Fire Brigade's ambulance fleet would not be included, creating a split between fire response and ambulance services.
Risks highlighted
Murphy argued there has been no consultation with frontline firefighters and warned that splitting fire and ambulance services into two dispatch systems would fragment existing resources and create a clear risk to both public health and firefighter safety. He emphasised that it is an integrated fire, rescue and ambulance service and that it needs a single dispatch system to reflect that.
Government response
The Tánaiste urged engagement and consultation, encouraged both the State side and the union side to engage intensively, acknowledged past points of friction in Dublin between ambulance and fire provision, and said the use of technology is positive while accepting the point about the need for alignment. The Tánaiste said the minister and the department will be asked to come back on the issue.
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Transcript
I want to raise with the Tánaiste an important industrial dispute with Dublin Fire Brigade over the proposed implementation of a new computer-aided dispatch system. The membership of Dublin Fire Brigade have overwhelmingly voted for industrial action up to and including strike action over it. Effectively, there is a proposal that all fire brigades in the country will come under one dispatch system. The problem with the proposal is that it will not include Dublin Fire Brigade's ambulance fleet. The fire brigade side would be included, but the ambulance fleet would not be included and it would fragment the existing resources. There has been no consultation with frontline firefighters on this and they make the strong case that splitting fire and ambulance services in this way in two dispatch systems creates a clear risk to both public health and firefighter safety. It's an integrated fire, rescue and ambulance service and it's necessary that it is one dispatch system to reflect that. I don't know if you've come across this issue or if the government can intervene in relation to it. Well, thanks for raising it, firstly, Deputy Murphy and Moran, long enough to know that disputes generally are resolved by engagement and consultation so I'd encourage everybody to engage intensively with Dublin Fire Brigade to do an incredible public service and indeed with the ambulance service. I do know from my back quite a while in my memory, I do know these issues in relation to ambulance and fire brigade provision in the City of Dublin have caused points of friction at times in relation to industrial relations. But I'd really urge the State side and indeed Union side to engage on this and to try and find a way forward. The use of technology is always a good thing but I do take the point about the particular situation in Dublin in relation to a fire brigade service and an ambulance service and the need for alignment in relation to that. So I'll ask Minister Brown and his department to come back to you on this.