Arranmore residents demand paid firefighters as volunteer model rises

Arranmore residents have raised concerns after Donegal County Council said it will move to a volunteer-run fire service and will not replace retiring retained (paid) firefighters, residents and local brigade members told BBC Radio Foyle.

Firefighter Finbar Gallagher said the island currently relies on two retained firefighters supported by volunteers and that people worry a fully volunteer service may not provide an effective emergency response, especially during the summer when the population rises and the island is prone to gorse fires.

Siobhan Cox, part of a committee seeking six paid firefighters for Arranmore, said volunteers often also serve on the RNLI lifeboat and ambulance crews, limiting capacity to add another essential role. She recalled a recent gorse fire that was contained quickly by the local brigade and said mainland assistance could be delayed by rough seas and ferry availability.

Donegal County Council said the Arranmore brigade currently has five volunteer firefighters and an appliance with similar functional capability to retained brigades apart from a smaller water supply and no 13.5-metre ladder. To address recent and pending retirements, the council said five island residents have expressed interest in volunteering.

Liberal News Analysis: What Does This Development Mean?

The council plans to transition to a volunteer-only model while the island maintains an appliance and a roster of five volunteers. Residents and brigade members report reliance on a small number of retained firefighters historically, local capacity stretched by overlapping voluntary roles, and specific seasonal risks such as increased summer population and gorse fires. The council has identified five residents interested in volunteering and has outlined the appliance’s capabilities and limitations.

Quick Glance: What You Need to Know

• Donegal County Council intends to move Arranmore’s fire service to volunteer-only following retirements.
• Arranmore historically had retained firefighters supported by volunteers; residents warn of limited local capacity and seasonal surge in population.
• Council reports five volunteers and an appliance with similar capabilities but smaller water capacity and no 13.5m ladder; five islanders have expressed interest in joining.