Council Ignores Flood Victims.

by Firefighter Wed Aug 20, 2008 10:43

In light of the inadequacies of Wicklow Fire Service exposed in The Bray People newspaper (20/8/2008) senior management of this service should now resign en masse. They no longer have the confidence of their crews nor the public in general who finance them through rates and taxation. This is the same management that sent only 6 firefighters to deal with a massive factory fire, in Bray, on the 26th September last year resulting in only 4 coming home. Wicklow Fire Service is about saving money and not public safety. The management of this service are now trying to defend their high paid jobs through lies in the media. No fire appliance from Co. Wicklow was dispatched to deal with flooding on Saturday last.

by Caoimhain - Starry Plough Initiative Tue Aug 19, 2008 17:14

This is a disgrace. With County Councilors getting an average of over €30,000 in expenses per year plus their normal salary of over €93,000, they should be ashamed of themselves but obviously don't give a damn about tax payers. If they did they'd be loading up their cars with sandbags, or making sure homes were protected from flooding.

If we stopped paying tax, they'd notice what's going on very quickly but until then they will, no doubt, continue to pay lip service to their constituents.

One Wexford Councilor claimed over €80,000 in expenses last year plus his normal salary of over €93,000. No one deserves such a pay cheque in one year and certainly not someone who does nothing for it. If councilors have a constituency office they can claim €50,000 set up expenses and a further €50,000 for every year after that. If they employ a member of their family they can also claim tens of thousands of €€€ in expenses. They should stop this straight away and put that money into the public health service, the fire brigade, ambulance services, schools and infrastructure.

The Government and Co. Councils have failed us because they don't care once the fat pay cheque is lodged into their bank accounts. We have to help ourselves. Government does not care. Get together and protest throughout the year about these problems, even when they have been forgotten. It's the only way to win a little bit of freedom in this country. We may not be oppressed by the power of the gun but we are oppressed by the power of the purse and those who control it.

by Radio Ga GA Tue Aug 19, 2008 08:33

Nicky Kelly was on the radio saying Arklow was flooded and its fire brigade was in Co. Wexford dealing with floods in Gorey. Is it a case that Wicklow fire brigades can deal with floods provided they are not in Co. Wicklow? I wonder was Wexford C.C. paying for this service. Ah it all comes down to money in Wicklow.

by maxi - none Mon Aug 18, 2008 21:49

Dont hold your breath waiting on Wicklow County Council.
Did you 'see' what they Did'nt Do in regard to a much needed
24/7 fire service in Bray after 2 firefighters lost their lives ?
'They' done nothing except pay out large expenses to 'elected
representatives' who ought to be ashamed of their non action
yet again.....

by Mr. White Mon Aug 18, 2008 17:20

The Coldross river in Kilcoole burst it's banks causing havoc and panic to local residents. We too were left to fend for ourselves for many hours until the excellent volunteers from the civil defence arrived. No fire brigade or council employee helped the people of Kilcoole in their hour of need. Shame on them and well done the unpaid volunteers.

by River man Mon Aug 18, 2008 16:54

Culverts all over Ireland are being created to suit development. This interferes with the natural flood plain of the river and causes back up problems and eventually the houses built near these man made diversions will suffer.

by Mill Road Resident Mon Aug 18, 2008 14:20

I too called the fire service, the gardai and the council. No one came, the fire service said they were not allowed. Who is responsible, who is accountable? €1000's of damage to my house could have been prevented.

by Delgany Resident Mon Aug 18, 2008 13:39

My house was flooded on Saturday. I rang 999 and was told Wicklow Fire Service does not deal with floods. I am going to inform my insurance company of this and maybe they could get re-imbursed from Wicklow County Council.