Budget pressure could bring cuts to Omagh fire service

CONCERNS have been raised over a possible reduction in fire fighters in Omagh as a result of a so-called ‘degradation plan’ by the NI Fire Service (NIFRS).

Currently Omagh Fire Station has a full-time crew covering the local area on weekdays between 8am and 6pm, with a weekend on-call system. This is able to run because the current members of staff are working shifts on overtime. Part of the degradation plan means that overtime will no longer be issued to members of the fire service for these periods. The degradation plan will only come into effect if the service is unable to receive investment from Stormont.

The Fire Brigade Union told the Tyrone Herald that investment would need to be in the range of between £700,00 and £1million.

Northern Ireland chair of the Fire Brigade Union, Dermot Rooney, said that if these cuts happen it could lead to slower call times and even possible reductions to key services.

Mr Rooney said, “At a meeting on Monday past, we spoke to representatives of the fire service, and they told us of the possible outcomes of the lack of funding of the service.

“If the service keeps going as it is, there could be significant cuts to services across Northern Ireland. Omagh Fire Station was on the list of possible stations to save money from. This could mean that Omagh could lose its full time weekday service.

“If this happens this could lead to slower call times and a reduction of key services and man power. The NI Fire Service has gone to the Executive to raise key funds so this degradation plan does not come into effect. They have asked for between £700,000 and one million pounds.”

The NIFRS, in response to this, neither confirmed or denied the risk of the loss of Omagh’s full time fire service, but have said they are committed to providing the ‘safest model’ for responding to emergencies.

The NIFRS spokesperson said, “NIFRS is planning to introduce 30 new trainee fire fighters on January 4, 2022. This is in the face of budgetary pressures, which are not unique to NIFRS. To cope with those pressures, NIFRS has implemented a series of management actions including restricting the use of Agency employees and managing overtime.

“NIFRS has in place a Business Continuity Plan to ensure that it can continue to deliver its service to the public in the safest and most effective way, regardless of the severity of the challenges it faces.

“ This plan is designed to keep all fire stations open.

“Every day and every night, fire fighters move between fire stations to provide the safest model for emergency response. This will continue.”

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