Claims of understaffing and low morale in Letterkenny fire service
Councillor says understaffing is having a knock-on effect across the county
Concern has been raised about the level of staffing in the fire service in Letterkenny.
Understaffing means the service, which is run by Donegal County Council, has been reduced from two teams to one and has only seven available personnel, a local councillor has claimed.
Sinn Féin councillor Gerry McMonagle has claimed morale is low in the service and the understaffing is impacting on the fire service units in neighbouring towns which have to provide cover when the Letterkenny service is on call-outs.
Raising the issue at the March meeting of the Letterkenny-Milford Municipal District, he called for answers from the council on what is happening in the service. Cllr McMonagle said the issues have been raised with him recently but the situation has deteriorated since.
“Now there is low morale and concern. It is a serious problem and I don't know what we are doing to do to address it,” he said. "We need definite answers to what is actually happening."
Council director of services Liam Ward said the claims were a very significant and serious issue and they would be relayed to the emergency services directorate.