Dublin Fire Brigade Votes for Industrial Action Over Dispatch Changes

Members of the Dublin Fire Brigade (DFB) have overwhelmingly voted in favor of industrial action in response to significant changes in how emergency service calls are managed. A recent vote revealed that 97 percent of firefighters represented by the union Siptu support this move, citing concerns over safety implications tied to the new computer-assisted dispatch (CAD) system.

The changes to the CAD system are being rolled out across the country, but union representatives argue that the Department of Housing and Local Government has not adequately engaged with them on this critical issue. According to Siptu organizer Geoff McEvoy, the union first raised concerns about the proposed changes back in October 2022. He pointed out that despite assurances from the department for further discussions, there has been a lack of meaningful consultation.

McEvoy expressed strong sentiments regarding the lack of engagement, stating that moving forward without involving frontline staff is “not only arrogant and insulting but also reckless.” This situation is particularly concerning given that DFB not only provides fire services but also operates around a dozen ambulances. All firefighters in the brigade are trained paramedics, and firefighting units often respond to urgent medical emergencies, which form a substantial part of their operational workload.

A long-standing issue has been the existence of two separate ambulance services in the Dublin area: one provided by DFB and the other by the National Ambulance Service. While cooperation between the two has improved over the past decade, there are persistent concerns that the changes to call-out responses proposed by the department, which do not encompass ambulance services, will hinder DFB’s ability to respond effectively to medical emergencies.

“Our members are seriously concerned that the proposed implementation of this new CAD system will severely undermine the effectiveness of emergency services in the Dublin area,” stated McEvoy. Furthermore, Luke McCann, the convener for Siptu at DFB, emphasized that the planned system aims to unify all fire brigades under one national CAD system. However, he highlighted that this system only addresses fire and rescue calls, excluding ambulance services. The implications of such a change in Dublin could be severe, given the brigade’s vital role in providing ambulance and paramedic services.

As of now, the department has not announced a specific date for implementing the changes in the Dublin region. The industrial action planned by the firefighters involves non-cooperation with the proposed changes. If no engagement occurs with the union, further escalation of action is anticipated.

The department has been approached for comment regarding this developing situation.