by Gareth Cross
Local councillors this week raised concerns that there could be an East/West divide over fire service resources.
The issue came to light at a meeting of Derry City and Strabane District Council's Governance and Strategic Planning Committee in the Guildhall on Tuesday.
Chair of the meeting, Sinn Fein councillor Paul Fleming, said that council had received a letter from the Derry Trade Union Council expressing concern about the effects of budget cuts to the fire service.
It was revealed last week that the Northland Road Fire Station would no longer have a dedicated crew to operate a specialist Ariel Ladder Platform (ALP) fire engine.
The Fire Brigades Union have also expressed concerns about staffing levels at other fire stations in the north-west area.
At the meeting SDLP councillor Jim McKeever noted that all political parties had recently met with the Fire Service Union and that it was a 'serious situation with serious risks'.
Cllr McKeever, who previously served on the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) Board said that areas had been assessed on need in the past and more homes etc. had been built since that time.
He said that over 30 buildings in the council area would need the special ALP fire engine if a fire started on the premises.
Cllr McKeever told the meeting that it was a 'ridiculous situation' and that it was putting everyone, 'including fire service personnel' at risk.
He said that the planned cuts would 'cost someone's life' and must be addressed.
Sinn Fein councillor Brian McMahon said that he had been talking to a fire fighter based in Derry and had been told that the same type of cuts were 'not affecting the Greater Belfast area'.
UUP councillor Derek Hussey said he had also been talking to local fire personnel and that there were 'extreme concerns'.
Alderman Hussey told the meeting that council needed to find out exactly what cuts were happening where.
He said the same service should be provided in the West as the rest of NI and that council should put up 'one hell of a fight'.
'Fight for equality'
Independent councillor Gary Donnelly said the decision was 'absolutely shocking' especially coming so soon after the Grenfell Tower disaster in London.
He noted that the fire service also help out with river rescues in Derry and that there had been a number of recent tragedies surrounding the river.
DUP councillor Thomas Kerrigan said that he had previously 'fought hard' to keep appliances based in the Strabane area in the past.
He said that council had been listened too on that occasion and that there was no area with a greater need for resources.
Alderman Kerrigan told the meeting the council area was 'vast' and needed cover.
He said that rural areas should not be forgotten and that work needed to be done to ensure the service was kept up to the standard required.
Independent unionist councillor Maurice Devenney said that the fire service have come under attack when carrying out their job but still manage to deliver a 'professional service'.
Alderman Devenney said that if there was an 'East/West divide' council should 'take the fight on and lobby for equality'.
'It's too late when lives are lost,' he said.
Sinn Fein councillor Mickey Cooper said Council should write to the highest civil servants and the Department of Health to make their concerns clear.
The move was seconded by Cllr McKeever who also proposed that Council invite senior members of the fire service to Council to explain their reasons for making the cuts and so that councillors could convey their 'feelings about them'.
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