Portlaoise fire station 'full' of firefighters with approval granted for Mountmellick refurb

The improvement in pay and conditions for Laois firefighters has solved staff shortages in the Portlaoise station, but not all Laois stations have enough crews yet.

In September 2023, retained firefighters in Ireland, accepted an offer of a guaranteed minimum income per year of over €18,000 and a roster to be on call every second week. It only followed SIPTU trade union pickets and staggered closures of fire stations across Laois and Ireland to demand improvements.

Beforehand, retained firefighters which accounts for all eight crews in Laois, were unable to take their allotted time off because of staff shortages.

The deal is now paying dividends in Laois, as confirmed by Senior Fire Officer Declan Power, speaking in Laois County Council chambers on Monday, May 27.

"It is working well. We have 11 awaiting to be appointed. Portlaoise is full. Five of our eight stations are fully restored. It is progressing extremely well since the changes to the roster. The crew in Portlaoise is very happy with it," he told councillors.

Recruitment is still underway. 

Some of the female Laois firefighters. Photo: Leinster Express

His report to Laois County Council stated that "as of 13th May, there are 27 permanent vacancies in the Laois retained fire service. This is based on the new compliment of 100 retained firefighters - up from 75 - in the eight fire stations, following the WRC agreement. Open recruitment is ongoing to recruit more fire-fighters, with 7 applications on file. There are 18 in the appointments process".

CFO Power attended the meeting to seek Part 8 planning approval from the councillors to upgrade Mountmellick fire station.

Cllr Paddy Bracken proposed it, and Cllr Seamus McDonald seconded. 

"I welcome this, it's badly needed, they do great work," Cllr Bracken said.

The station will get a new drill training tower, a training yard inside the palisade fence behind the station, and a new water mains so the crew don't have to draw water from the public mains. No submissions were received during a public consultation period.

The job will now go to tender, and is expected to begin later in 2024.

In 2024 so far, (up to May 13) Laois County Fire and Rescue Service had attended 204 emergency incidents, including 47 fires, 119 special service incidents and 38 false alarms. The busiest station is Portlaoise with 89 callouts.  Followed by Stradbally at 39, Mountmellick 35, Portarlington 32, Abbeyleix 29, Mountrath and Rathdowney at 20 each.