Campaigners say Arranmore gorse fire shows why service needs to be retained - Donegal Daily

A gorse fire that broke out on Arranmore Island has served as a timely reminder as to why the service needs to be saved, according to campaigners fearing for it...

A gorse fire that broke out on Arranmore Island has served as a timely reminder as to why the service needs to be saved, according to campaigners fearing for its future.

On Wednesday, firefighters on the island responded to a 999 call reporting a gorse fire had started on the idyllic island off the coast of West Donegal.

The local team of firefighters were on the scene within 10 minutes and managed to get the blaze under control.

However, those at the heart of an SOS (Save Our Station) say the incident underscores why all services on the island need to be retained.

In a post on their official SOS Facebook page, campaigners said, "This fire was another reminder why the Arranmore Fire Service cannot be lost. Our volunteer firefighters were on the scene within 10 minutes, preventing the fire from spreading further and protecting nearby homes, land and our community.

"This is what our local fire service does. Every call-out matters. Every minute matters."

SOS campaigners are claiming two paid firefighter positions are being lost.

However, Donegal County Council insists there will be no reduction in the island’s voluntary emergency response.

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It's claimed that Donegal County Council has decided not to replace two paid positions following the recent retirement of one firefighter and the expected retirement of another.

"On an island like Arranmore, we cannot rely on help coming from the mainland in time. Our firefighters live here, train to the same national standard as every other retained firefighter in Ireland, and are ready to leave their families and jobs at a moment’s notice to protect us."

Campaigners believe the concessions of any services on Arranmore will lead to slower response times that put homes, businesses and livelihoods at greater risk.

"Wednesday’s incident is proof that emergencies don’t wait. Fires don’t wait. Our community shouldn’t have to wait either - and we are asking everyone to continue supporting our campaign to Save Our Service.

"Our firefighters have always been there for us. Now it’s our turn to stand up for them."