As part of the normal industrial relations protocol of agreeing contingency plans, all local authorities have engaged with SIPTU at local level to put in place robust contingency arrangements and wish to assure the public that every effort will be made to mitigate any risk to them arising from any industrial action. SIPTU have confirmed that throughout the strike action it will comply with the provisions of the Code of Practice on emergency disputes reflecting the professionalism and dedication of its retained fire service personnel to ensure that fire services are provided even in a strike situation and have confirmed that it will respond to all emergency calls involving life-threatening situations.

Members of the public should therefore continue to call 112 or 999 in the case of an emergency.

Fire Service Management initiated a negotiation process with SIPTU and agreed to the appointment of an independent Third-Party facilitator to shape a proposal that could be agreed by management and staff representatives. This led to a significant offer by Fire Service Management which would result in an increase in fire service numbers allowing for greater levels of structured time off.

SIPTU then advised that in addition to the increase in numbers they would also require a significant increase in existing pay, however Management advised that under the current national pay agreement, Building Momentum, it cannot consider sectoral or grade-based pay and conditions claims during the lifetime of the agreement. Management advised that it wished to continue the engagement through the mediator as its position would always be for constructive engagement with all stakeholders on any pay dispute.