FF Motion is aimed to protect Dublin Fire Brigade emergency services

Fianna Fáil TD for Dublin Fingal, Darragh O’Brien has said that a Dáil motion submitted by his Party this week is aimed to ensure the full retention of emergency services provided by Dublin Fire Brigade across the city and county.

O’Brien commented, “Dublin Fire Brigade (DFB) has been providing crucial ambulance services to the citizens of the city and North County since 1898.

“The Brigade now operates with life-saving equipment and over 800 trained firefighter paramedic’s work to provide immediate medical assistance to members of public in need of treatment 24/7, 365 days a year.

“The HSE has proposed to remove the delivery of Dublin’s ambulance service from Dublin Fire Brigade and instead merge the service with the National Ambulance Service;
“Such a proposal could have a huge negative impact on the delivery of services from the DFB call centre while removing any element of DFB’s fire based EMS system will have an adverse effect on safeguarding those in our community.

“I am calling for the full support for the almost 1,000 personnel employed, to maximise service delivery and provide greater efficiency to protect those in fire stations across Dublin who provide a full-time fire, rescue, and ambulance service which serves our whole community;
Staff must be lauded for their ability to respond to thousands of emergency calls across the capital every year. A direct funding mechanism should be designed to allow DFB to continue to operate all areas of DFB’s fire based EMS service.

He concluded, “Our motion underscores the seriousness of this threat and reiterates our firm commitment to the full retention of ambulance services provided by Dublin Fire Brigade across Dublin.”