Arranmore Fire Service given boost following ’productive’ meeting - Donegal Daily

Councillors from the Glenties MD met with senior officials from Donegal County Council to discuss the retention of Arranmore fire services.

Campaigners for the retention of a full-time fire service on Arranmore Island have been given a timely boost following a meeting that has been described as "productive".

Councillors from the Glenties Municipal District met with senior officials from Donegal County Council at a meeting in Dungloe on Monday.

Garry Martin, Director of Economic Development, IT and Emergency Services, reinforced the stance that Donegal County Council has no plans to change the current system of a voluntary fire service on Arranmore Island.

Sinn Féin councillor Brian Carr told Donegal Daily, that the council remains committed to continuing to support the fire service on Arranmore Island.

"We had a productive meeting with senior officials from Donegal County Council. We were told that nothing will change as Garry Martin said in his press release back in July. Garry said it is important to clarify at the outset that there are no plans to change the current system of a voluntary fire service on Arranmore Island.

"This service will continue to be supported by Donegal County Council by way of recruitment and basic training to allow the voluntary service to meet the fire service response that is needed on the island," said Carr.

However, the central disagreement is whether a volunteer-only service can provide Arranmore with the same practical level of emergency protection as a service with paid firefighters.

Two paid firefighter positions remain the 'burning issue' for campaigners.

One firefighter has retired and another is expected to retire, and the Donegal County Council does not intend to replace them in the way campaigners want.

In response to the ongoing situation, residents on Arranmore Island established a 'Save Our Service' campaign.

Islanders fear a weaker emergency response, and have argued that volunteers alone will not be able to provide reliable cover, especially during the summer months when the population on Arranmore increases and the risk of gorse fires are much higher.

The option of a mainland backup is obviously difficult, as Arranmore depends on a ferry connection, and rough seas or ferry disruption could significantly delay outside assistance.

Volunteers on Arranmore already have other responsibilities - with a number of island firefighters also serving with the RNLI lifeboat crew or ambulance services, which makes it difficult to rely entirely on volunteers.

The issue is expected to be raised again at the next meeting of the Glenties Municipal District on November 10th.