SIPTU firefighters and supporters protested outside fire stations across Dublin earlier today.
They protested to highlight their opposition to an attempt to break up the Dublin Fire Brigade (DFB) Emergency Medical Service by removing its ambulance call and dispatch function.
Among those who showed their solidarity at one of the 12 fire stations across Dublin were Lord Mayor, Brendan Carr, RTÉ broadcaster, Joe Duffy and former Ireland rugby captain, Brian O’Driscoll.
They were joined by several Dublin City Councillors and other public representatives.
@labour says keep our local ambulance. @CllrOBrien and @grace_tallon with @SIPTU firefighters in Rathfarnham today pic.twitter.com/3ytBS7dc5o
— Alex White (@AlexWhiteSC) March 4, 2017
Speaking about the protests, SIPTU Sector Organiser, Brendan O’Brien said "The protests were initially called by Dublin City Councillor and former Lord Mayor, Christy Burke.
"Our members would like to thank him for the initiative which allowed local communities across the city and county to show their support for the DFB Emergency Medical Service."
"The protests highlighted the very strong opposition there is to an attempt by senior management in Dublin City Council to break up the DFB Emergency Medical Service by removing its ambulance call and dispatch function.
The firefighters in #Donnybrook stand out in the rain to protect the DFB Emergency Medical Service #supportDFB pic.twitter.com/qG2MwzX2Bs
— SIPTU (@SIPTU) March 4, 2017
He finished by saying "Removal of this function breaks a key link in the DFB Emergency Medical Service chain, which would result in a reduction in the effectiveness of the service, response time delays and expose the public to increased risk."
SIPTU DFB Firefighters voted by 93% to 7% in favour of strike action and 97% to 3% in favour of industrial action, in a ballot counted on Friday, the 17th of February.
