This dual role, fire based emergency medical service is internationally recognised as best practice. It is replicated in cities such as Seattle, New York, Dusseldorf , Frankfort etc. Dublin is recognised as 2nd in the world after Seattle to have the best survival rates for out of hospital cardiac arrest. That is because of the fire based EMS system.

If a person in Dublin suffers a cardiac arrest ( heart and breathing stops ), an ambulance and fire appliance is dispatched. This ensures a top level of pre-hospital care with up to 8 paramedics on scene.

The Dublin city manager Mr. Owen Keegan has announced that he wants a review of the Dublin Fire Brigades ambulance service despite the fact that the elected city councillors voted to suspend his review looking for a capacity review of the national ambulance service. Mr. Keegan's response was that he would go ahead with the review regardless of the democratic vote. A confidential HSE document dated March 2013 was leaked on Tuesday 18/3/14. This document outlines the HSE plan to take back the ambulance service from the DFB by 2015.

The DFB get 7% of the national ambulance annual budget but take on 40% of the ambulance calls nationally!! It's simple maths.

Please help us fight to retain this vital 1st class service .

Remember all DFB firefighters are also paramedics and the fire based Medical system is world renowned best practice. If it's not broken, why fix it? Lobby your elected representatives now!