An independently chaired joint forum, to discuss the future of the Dublin Fire Brigade (DFB) ambulance service, was established this week. This followed disputed proposals for the HSE’s National Ambulance Service (NAS) to take responsibility for all emergency calls in the Dublin region.

Members of the Haddington Road Agreement (HRA) oversight body, including IMPACT general secretary Shay Cody, met city manager Owen Keegan last week, to emphasise the necessity to comply with the terms of the HRA regarding any potential changes. Following these discussions, proposals were agreed for an independently chaired joint forum to discuss the future of the DFB ambulance service.

The forum will be chaired by former Dublin Chief Fire Officer, Stephen Brady, and all matters arising from the Control Centre Reconfiguration Project, as recommended in a recent HIQA Report, will be addressed by the forum. It was agreed that Dublin Fire Brigade will continue to be fully involved in emergency ambulance service delivery as part of the reconfiguration project.

IMPACT national secretary Peter Nolan said the union welcomed the appointment of Mr Brady who he said “has a deep understanding of the role of the Dublin Fire Brigade Emergency and Ambulance Service.  We firmly believe the people of Dublin are best served by the continued involvement of the Dublin Fire Brigade in emergency and ambulance provision.”