Fórsa is continuing to engage with Dublin fire brigade (DFB) management on the urgent need to recruit more staff. The union says the recent wave of Covid-19 cases hit the service particularly hard, with almost a fifth of DFB workers unavailable for work over the New Year and significant numbers still affected.

Fórsa official Maura Cahalan said the high proportion of Covid-related absences over the New Year period highlighted the urgent need for recruitment into the service.

“This has been central to Fórsa’s agenda as we continue to engage with management on the need to boost personnel numbers. The most recent wave of Covid exposed the deficit in the current complement of personnel, and this had the effect of compromising the capacity to respond to incidences at a critical period,” she said.

Dublin fire brigade confirmed last week that a number of its fire and ambulance appliances could not be operated on New Year’s eve because of Covid-related work absences.

The head of Fórsa’s Municipal Employees’ division, Dessie Robinson, said the union was committed to detailed engagement with management until a breakthrough is achieved.

“We remain committed to ensuring continuity of essential services, and the pandemic has shown us just how challenging it can be when recruitment into this vital service fails to keep pace. More than 200 staff members were absent in recent weeks, either because they tested positive or because they had to self-isolate due to being a close contact.

“Fórsa recognises that Dublin fire brigade is under considerable pressure, and we need to see a real boost to recruitment now to ensure that it’s fully equipped to meet service the requirements of 2022 and into the future,” he said.

Fórsa official Derek Kelleher added: “This is part and parcel of Fórsa’s objective to ensure the sustainability of quality public services across all sectors. Equally, it’s about recognising the excellent work of our members in Dublin fire brigade, and making sure they have the backing they need to ensure the service can respond fully 365 days a year.”