Why are retained firefighters striking?

We are facing a retention and recruitment crisis. Meaning we cannot attract new members to join because of the low pay, high commitment and poor conditions; and we are losing the firefighters we do have. 60% of firefighters are considering leaving the service in the next two years. The service is chronically understaffed, increasing the danger to firefighters and the public. 

The service was designed for the 1950s and is simply not fit for purpose in the 21st century. Retained firefighters feel forced into striking as a result of the Government's failure to engage or make any meaningful attempt to deal with the recruitment and retention crisis.

What do retained firefighters do?

Retained firefighters are called out to fires, rescues, chemical incidents, road traffic collisions, to assist the Gardai and to assist the National Ambulance service. 

Retained firefighters have the exact same specialist training and go to the exact same calls as Full-time rostered firefighters. They are not a back up service or part-time, they are the only service in most areas of the country. In some cases Retained firefighters are going to more calls than full-time counterparts because of lack of time off and staff shortages. 

Retained Firefighters are on call 24/7, they don't have shifts and do not have a guaranteed income. That means they have to be within 5 minutes of their station at all times. Retained firefighters are paid a small retainer per year and per call. As they have to be available at all times this equates to less than a euro an hour!  They usually need a social welfare payment or a second job to supplement their income as firefighters are currently unable to survive on the wages alone. Even a second job can be challenging to acquire as it requires employment to also be within 5 minutes of the station and the employer has to allow them to leave at any time which can be difficult or not possible. 

Firefighters have to deal with mentally harrowing incidents and be ready for the next call at a moments notice. There is no work/life balance and this has a huge impact on the rest of a firefighters immediate family also. Time off is extra difficult with staff shortages. 

What do the retained fire service want?  

Government to address the recruitment and retention crisis with immediate and achievable solutions. 

Improved renumeration, a guaranteed wage. 

A better work/life balance with increased, structured time off. 

Staff shortages to be addressed. 

If the Retained Fire Service continues in the same way as it is now, which is already unfit for purpose, the service will collapse  entirely. 

How can signing the petition help? 

It will show that the Retained Fire Service has the full support of the general public and may help to encourage Government to do everything in their power to save and improve the fire service for the benefit of the firefighters and the public as a whole.