Time to ‘bite the bullet’ on Bundoran and Ballyshannon fire station debate?

Is it time to bite the bullet and accept that a single fire station for Ballyshannon and Bundoran is the only way forward?

That was the question posed by Cllr Micheál Naughton (FF) at the September meeting of the Municipal District (MD) of Donegal.

With both fire stations in dire need of a major upgrade, plans from central government for a single, state of the art fire station to serve both communities were previously rejected vehemently. 

Residents of both towns, the firefighters themselves and local representatives have continued to call for two fire stations.

“Bundoran and Ballyshannon fire stations are not fit for purpose,” said Cllr Naughton.

“If we don’t do something now, these stations will not be viable in the future. 

“The people who work in these stations put their lives at risk for the citizens of these communities. One station or two, we need to move things along.

“I would prefer to have the two stations but if the Chief Fire Officer says one, we need to bite the bullet, This is going on for far too long.”

Director of Economic Development, Information Systems and Emergency Services Garry Martin told the meeting that he believed it would be possible to move forward quickly on one station if members agreed.

“We would all like to see two stations but one station is what is being offered,” he said.

“We have tried every way and the one thing that is consistent is that central government has told us what the solution is - one station to serve Bundoran and Ballyshannon.

“We have a duty of care to the firefighters to put them into a proper building even if that is not the care that they want. 

“I have huge regards for both fire services. I understand why the local stations want to retain two but I don't believe that is ever going to be on offer. There is nothing on the radar that is going to make any difference to this. 

“Both buildings are now at a point where they might not be able to continue.”

Cllr Michael McMahon (SF) suggested that a change of government could lead to a change of stance. 

Mr Martin said he did not believe that to be the case, and he expressed concern that inflation in the construction industry could have already tripled the cost, originally estimated at €1 million to approximately €3 million.

Regarding concerns expressed by both communities that a single fire station would inevitably diminish the service provided, Mr Martin said: “I am confident that the services being provided to those people will continue.

“But the longer that the issue is being kicked down the road, the more we are doing those people a disservice.”

He said he believed that things would move forward quickly but only if an agreement could be reached. 

“We have always taken the position that we have to have the members on board before we make a recommendation,” said Mr Martin. 

“The Chief Fire Officer is confident that we can provide a service from one station

“I have confidence that we would get capital investment for what is on the table.  

“The stations are well past their sell by date. Our fire service programme was completed in 2003 and they should have been completed in tandem with that. This is going on since then.”

Cllr McMahon said: “We need a workshop to see if we stick with the stance of the two fire stations or one super fire station.

“The people in both fire stations do a fantastic job.

“We need to take the bull by the horns once and for all and decide what to do.”

It was agreed that a dedicated workshop would take place in order to establish if agreement could be reached on a path forward.