‘Every minute is vital’: Omagh councillor slams potential firefighter cuts

A COUNCILLOR has called for proposals to cut the number of firefighters in Omagh to be scrapped.

The potential reduction in firefighters comes as part 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 can 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.

Sinn Féin councillor Anne Marie Fitzgerald says that proposed cuts to the local fire service “must be stopped”.

She said, “The proposed removal of day crewing firefighters would negatively impact upon the provision of Fire and Rescue Service provision emergency cover in Omagh and surrounding areas, including immediate backup to fire stations in Dromore, Fintona and Newtownstewart.”

“With any emergency service, it’s a fact that every minute is vital for a positive outcome,” Cllr Fitzgerald added.

The councillor also opposed plans to remove the flood response capabilities from the local area.

Cllr Fitzgerald said, “It is proposed to move these vehicles to a full-time Station in Derry. Everyone will be aware of the huge impact that flooding has had and the great risk that we are subject to from flooding in the FODC area.”

In a previous response to the Tyrone Herald on the proposed cuts, a NIFRS spokesperson said, “NIFRS is planning to introduce 30 new trainee firefighters 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, firefighters move between fire stations to provide the safest model for emergency response. This will continue.”