Online petition seeks signatures of those wishing to save Ballyshannon Fire Station

A petition has been set up with the aim of saving the Ballyshannon Fire Station.

Although no decision has been made, it has been mooted that Ballyshannon and Bundoran stations might be forced to merge by the government.

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

Those who back the proposal in Ballyshannon are asked to show their support and sign the petition on the Uplift site, called ‘Save Ballyshannon Fire Station’ and this week local councillor Jimmy Brogan said he would fight tooth and nail to keep the separate stations.

“Recent media reports have outlined that the future of the Fire Station in Ballyshannon is under threat, together with other Fire Stations in the Donegal Municipal District,” the petition reads.

“Local Councillors have expressed early objection to the potential closures. However, they have also suggested that the decision may be taken out of their hands. The County Council covers a broad range of services, but this kind of decision may ultimately impact on lives. Therefore, this Petition has been set up to give the public an opportunity to document their objection to the move.

“The issue of stations running into disrepair is reflective of previous inaction in terms of necessary upgrade works. The people of Ballyshannon and the area that this station covers, who benefit from the Trojan work of the crew in this station, should not be collateral damage as a result of this.

“We are requesting that Donegal County Council overturn any decision that has been made to close Ballyshannon Fire Station. We are also urging our local elected representatives from Donegal Municipal District to advocate on our behalf and force the issue at County Council level. They are Cllr Michael McMahon; Cllr Micheal Naughton; Cllr Manus Boyle; Cllr Noel Jordan; Cllr Niamh Kennedy and Cllr Jimmy Brogan.

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“The importance of this is simply for the safety of lives in our area. The basis of any decision of this nature surely has to rely upon that. The only figures that should matter in this instance is really in relation to the geography of this area. The distance between the areas that this station covers has not changed dramatically, nor have road networks that connect them.

"The criteria to be a member of the fire brigade include a requirement for fire-fighters to live close to the stations, which facilitates quick response times. The proposed decision is at odds with this rationale. Locating a station further from a potential fire immediately increases the response times, and will ultimately favour those living in more densely populated areas. Every life has equal value, and it is paramount that the County Council acknowledges this, and recognises the major risk that they are creating with this decision."