Firefighter shortage causes concern

AN INCREASE in early retirement among firefighters has raised concerns about future staffing shortages, the main union in the Dublin Fire Brigade has claimed.

An increase in the public service pension levy has reduced the take-home pay of many firefighters, who are opting to retire early, while the recruitment freeze means they may not be replaced.

So far this year, 32 firefighters have retired. This is two more than in the whole of 2008, according to figures provided by Dublin City Council.

Many firefighters are opting for early retirement rather than paying the increased public service pension levy, according to Siptu fire convener John Kidd.

He said firefighters were already paying into their pension before the levy was introduced and were now paying up to 15 per cent of their wages into pensions. “I am pleading with them not to retire. I ask them for the sake of the city, but their families put them under pressure – why would they stay for that amount of money?”

Mr Kidd fears 100 firefighters may retire by the end of the year and may not be replaced. Their workload and stress had increased significantly in the past 20 years.

A spokesman for Dublin City Council said: “The issue of replacement of staff will be considered as part of the discussions to be held arising out of the recent Government circular on staffing.

“In these discussions a mechanism will have to be found to ensure that appropriate manning levels are maintained.”

Mr Kidd described this as a crisis for remaining staff who would have to try to cover for them using overtime. “It takes two years to train firefighters to the level needed, so a lot of expertise is being lost with retiring firemen.”

The ban on permanent and temporary recruitment in local authorities was introduced at the end of March and will be enforced until the end of 2010.