Louth Fire & Rescue Reorganisation Begins 24/7 Cover Retained at Drogheda and Dundalk
New working arrangements for 55 whole-time and 16 retained staff began at 8am today (Mon) in Louth Local Authorities Fire & Rescue Service. The system changes allow further efficiencies to be achieved while enhancing cover on a 24-hour basis from stations in Drogheda and Dundalk.
Under the new system introduced this morning, fire-fighters will form part of a five-group duty system. Each group will consist of two crews. The crews will work on 10-week shift cycles with 12-hour shifts starting at 8am and 8pm.
As the new arrangements were introduced and Cllr Paul Bell, Mayor of Drogheda and Cllr Jennifer Green, Cathaoirleach, Dundalk Town Council, met fire officers in the Drogheda and Dundalk stations respectively, Joe McGuinness, Director of Services, Louth Local Authorities, said: “This is an important day in how we deliver fire and rescue services in Louth and comes after lengthy planning and negotiation following an international review commissioned in late 2008.
“The new model for service delivery offers the most comprehensive cover possible at times of greatest demand and is based on a detailed analysis of callout patterns. This is also balanced with the resource constraints we face in the current economic climate and the need to deliver efficiencies and value-for-money.”
Eamon Woulfe, Chief Fire Officer, Louth, said: “With an increased focus on fire prevention, it is also a real positive of the new working arrangements for our fire officers that they allow for greater time to be spent on community fire safety programmes. This can help households in Louth be to the fore nationally in risk reduction. There is also more scope in the new scheme for continuous training and professional development so that all frontline and supervisory personnel in Louth Fire & Rescue Service have the opportunity to keep their skills current.”
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