Madam, – Although it is heartening to see military personnel assisting firefighters in the north and west of the country (Home News, May 3rd), should the question now be asked why Ireland has no national fire and ambulance service? We currently have 26 “fire chiefs” running a regionalised fire service around the country, with each county having a full-time or retained service and command structure. Would it not be a positive move to modernise these services into a central command structure with a single training and operations authority for emergency personnel in our Republic?
The incorporation of all fire and ambulance personnel into a national structure (in one uniform) would be a major step forward: all future recruits could be trained both as firefighters and paramedics and be available to deploy to areas of most need, much like the forces of An Garda Síochána. Fire and ambulance emergency calls could then come through one command structure. One senior officer would be responsible for this national service (akin to the position of the Garda Commissioner).
Comprehensive reform of the health service should give consideration to a national fire and ambulance service. – Yours, etc,