The provision of a fire service in its functional area, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade, the assessment of fire cover needs and the provision of fire station premises, is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under the Fire Services Act, 1981 & 2003. My Department supports fire authorities through setting general policy, providing a central training programme, issuing guidance on operational and other related matters and providing capital funding support for equipment and priority infrastructural projects. Fire service issues are managed in my Department by the National Directorate for Fire & Emergency Management (NDFEM).
The National Mobilisation and Communications System (NMACS) is operated by Limerick City & County Council on a shared service basis. My Department provides capital funding to Limerick City & County Council supporting the NMACS programme.
Fire Service staff in all regions are fully engaged, on an ongoing basis, in the project, throughout its development, procurement and implementation in the Munster and Western Regions as well as the planned migration in the Eastern region. Staff representing each of the three regional communication centres have participated in all phases of testing and development, working closely with the NMACS team.
Engagement with staff side associations and internal communications are a matter for Dublin City Council as the employer of DFB personnel. There is engagement currently taking place through the WRC between DFB management and the staff side. I would encourage both sides to actively engage with the WRC with a view to coming to a positive conclusion.
