ATTACKS on fire crews that attended fires at derelict houses that left one firefighter injured in Limerick last week has further highlighted the need for a “proper compensation scheme” for fire officers injured on duty.
That’s according to the Irish Fire and Emergency Services Association (IFESA) who say that the absence of a proper compensation scheme and the recent rejection by Government of a Fianna Fáil Bill to impose mandatory prison sentences on people convicted of assault on emergency workers while on duty, was disappointing.
Chief fire officer, Michael Ryan said the actions of a gang of youths in Salvia Court, Southill were “shocking and disgraceful”, while and SIPTU organiser Con Casey, said: “Four units of the Limerick City Fire and Rescue Service were responding to the blaze when they came under attack at about 8pm. The attack resulted in two firefighters being injured. They were released from hospital the next day after one was treated for concussion and the other for a neck and shoulder injury.
“Such attacks on frontline emergency workers are completely unacceptable. The attack resulted in the fire crews having to withdraw from the incident until the situation had calmed and gardaí arrived.
Speaking to the Limerick Post, Mr Mac Cobb said the suggestion that councils prefer to settle individual cases themselves as opposed to implementing a proper compensation scheme for those injured in the line of duty was “both unfair and wrong”.
Referring to the damage caused to one of the fire tenders in last week’s attack, he said this resulted in them being taken off the road for repairs, leading to a reduction in emergency cover while reserve vehicles were equipped. “This, in turn, delays the response of emergency services in case of a serious emergency”, he explained
Urging the Government to action, Mr Mac Cobb called for “legislation which has specific penalties for assault and injury to emergency workers while on duty. They must also look to implement a suitable scheme to protect our members when injured. It is also of concern that the recent approach to sick pay will have an adverse effect on our members if they are injured through no fault of their own.
