Click here for RTE Interview - Firefighters demand removal of breathing apparatus: IFESA's Ross McCobb

The Irish Fire and Emergency Services Association (IFESA) has today (Thursday) welcomed the decision by Dublin Fire Brigade management to withdraw all cylinders not attached to Breathing Apparatus sets from service with immediate effect.  Management have also issued instructions that the number of fire fighters entering an environment that requires a B A set be increased from a minimum of two to three.

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Finally, IFESA has held its first case in front of a third party. On Friday last a case was taken to the Rights Commissioner relative to health and safety matters.

During the hearing, which has still to be determined, the Commissioner made reference to amongst other matters, the fact that all personnel regardless as to whether they are in a union or not, were entitled to use the grievance procedure. This means that we have been vindicated in our stance all along in that a grievance procedure is a Code of Practice and is applicable to all and sundry.

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