Priority during firefighters' industrial action is to ensure safety - Kilkenny County Council

Fire stations across the county will not be responding to 999 calls on certain dates over the coming weeks due to escalated industrial action.

Today Kilkenny Fire Station is closed as retained firefighters seek out better terms and conditions. The escalation in strike action will result in Kilkenny City Fire Station also closing for 24 hours from 8am on August 14 until  8am on August 15, from 8am on August 16 to 8am on August 17,  from 8am on August 18 to 8am on August 19, from 8am on August 20 to 8am on August 21 and for 48 hours from August 24 to 8am on August 26. Other fire stations across the county are also affected.

Breaking: Kilkenny Fire Station not responding to 999 calls due to strike action

In a statement issued this evening Kilkenny County Council stated that their priority throughout this process is to ensure employee and public safety.

"A contingency plan is in place, which is under continuous review for the duration of the dispute. Local discussions are focused on operational matters for the safe delivery of services for both the fire crews and members of the public.  It is understood that all emergency calls will be responded to during the dispute, though some calls may have a delayed response due to the industrial action.

"All households and businesses should ensure they have working smoke alarms and should continue to use 999 or 112 calls in the case of an emergency.," said a spokeperson.

In a statement on behalf of local authorities in response to retained firefighter industrial action management said that they are extremely concerned by SIPTU’s decision to escalate its industrial action, closing 50% of retained fire service stations on a rotational basis.