Council ‘absolutely committed’ to new Wicklow Fire Service safety plan
The Wicklow PeopleWicklow County Council has agreed to fully implement a new Section 26 fire safety plan for Wicklow Fire Service.
The Fire Services Act was introduced in the aftermath of the Stardust tragedy, where 48 young people tragically lost their lives in Artane, Dublin in 1981.
Section 26 obliges every fire authority to prepare a fire and emergency operations plan which outlines staffing levels, the number and location of appliances, operational arrangements, and the overall approach to fire safety within the confines of a county.
It is designed to give transparency to the public, to provide protection and clarity to frontline firefighters, while allowing elected county councillors and the wider community to feed into the decisions that affect their safety.
The final plan is a reserved function, which means it is decided by the elected councillors of the local authority. This means decisions about public safety are subject to democratic oversight rather than being imposed behind closed doors.
Following a question from Cllr Dermot Daisy O’Brien during the September monthly meeting of Wicklow County Council, director of services Marc Deveraux said they are awaiting further guidance from the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management (NDFEM).
“The Workplace Relations Commission agreement has led to changes, I think very good changes, in the Fire Service with increased numbers and a different way of payment too, which makes it easier for us.
“There is a question we have which we're waiting an answer from the NDFEM on how to go about a section 26 plan now that there is a new pay agreement and a new staffing agreement in place.”
Adding her voice to the conversation chief executive Emer O’Gorman made a commitment that a new plan will be published.
“I do think with the growth of Bray, the growth of Fassaroe and that surrounding area, we are moving more and more likely to a full-time service in that area. Not to pre-empt a plan or funding from NDFEM, but we are absolutely committed to it and as soon as we have the guidance, we will engage with members on it.”
In response Cllr O’Brien highlighted the importance of getting the new plan adopted.
“There are opportunities in a section 26 plan and the opportunities are to look at the profiles, the organisation of the Fire Service, the station, the appliances, the equipment, training, development, procedures, fire prevention, community safety, all the stuff that we talk about, health and safety, welfare of the fire fighters, strategic objectives.
“I think all of that is a collective responsibility. And certainly, as an elected member who has a mandate from the community, I am comfortable and willing to get involved in fulfilling that mandate and that obligation to prepare a section 26.”
Separately Wicklow Sinn Féin TD John Brady has launched an attack on Minister James Browne, and on senior management within the Wicklow Fire Service, for their failure to provide any real record of the previous plan.
Speaking on the issue, Deputy Brady expressed concern that nobody can tell if a plan currently exists for Wicklow and when it was last updated.
“It denies the public the chance to engage in consultation and denies councillors one of their very few reserved functions, the right to adopt or amend the Section 26 plan. That strips away accountability, transparency, and ultimately puts lives at risk.”
Deputy Brady went on to outline the consequences of the plan not being presented to elected representatives.
“The decision to reduce Bray Fire Station from a two-pump station to a one-pump station was imposed without councillors having a say, or indeed a vote to amend the plan. That was a drastic and unacceptable action, it is undemocratic, it is unsafe, and it highlights the dangers of ignoring the Section 26 process”.
“The same applies to equipment. The hydraulic platform, which is critical for tackling high-rise fires, is stored in Wicklow Town. Yet the bulk of high-rise development and population are in Bray and Greystones, in the north of the county. If this plan had gone before councillors, I imagine it would have immediately challenged such an illogical and unsafe arrangement.”
The Wicklow TD criticised the Minister for his repeated refusal to take responsibility.
“I have raised this directly with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne through parliamentary questions, and his response has been to wash his hands of it. He claims it is not his responsibility, but that is simply untrue.”
Deputy Brady called for the plan to be published, and that it be put through the full public consultation process without further delay.
“Anything less is a betrayal of the community’s trust and of the brave firefighters who risk their lives to protect us.” he added.