New callout system excluding ambulance services will ‘endanger lives’

A new emergency callout system that excludes ambulance services will ‘endanger lives’ if implemented, union officials have warned. SIPTU members in Dublin Fire Brigade (DFB) have served notice of industrial action due to serious safety concerns over the introduction of new dispatch technology. The Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) software would bring all fire brigades around the country under the one system. However, ambulances would operate outside of CAD, despite Dublin Fire Brigade also providing emergency paramedic services. “Our members are seriously concerned that the proposed implementation of this new CAD system will severely undermine the effectiveness of emergency services in…