Striking firefighter warns 30 stations at risk of closing permanently as staffing situation worsens

The wages are low – at around €700 a month starting – and with crew on call 24/7, he says it’s getting more difficult to attract recruits.

In October, when his station officer retires and a colleague moves to Dublin Fire Brigade, there will be just eight firefighters based at his station in Trim, Co Meath.

Mr Rispin, who also works as a picture framer to supplement his income, says most closures are likely in the south and west where he is aware of crews of just five people.

Standing on the picket line in Trim yesterday as half of the nation’s stations closed for rolling strikes, he spoke about one station that is closed on Saturdays.

The public can ring the ambulance service, but they are not trained to use cutting equipment that is crucial in car accidents, he said.

More rolling strikes are planned today as 2,000 firefighters take industrial action for a better deal on pay and time off. Without a resolution, an all-out strike will start next Tuesday. “We’re not visible,” he said. “Until you need the fire service, you don’t know.

“It is a tough job. You can come across absolutely anything, bad incidents or bad accidents. We have to deal with relatives on the scene, and you have to put yourself in their shoes and give dignity to the person you are treating to let them see that you’re taking care of them.

“But if we don’t do it, who’ll do it?

“The sudden deaths, they stick in your head. They thought ‘it’s my time to go’ and you’re looking at the tragedies that are unfolding around them. And you’re there to give them some dignity and you’re saying to yourself, ‘oh God, what was going through your mind when you decided this would happen’.”

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar called for re-engagement between unions and State negotiators. He said the public should know that emergency calls will be responded to as normal.