LCR23208

PARTIES:

DIVISION:

SUBJECT:

Complaint under Section 26 (1) of the Industrial Relations Act, 1990.

BACKGROUND:

This dispute could not be resolved at local level and was the subject of a Conciliation Conference under the auspices of the Workplace Relations Commission. As agreement was not reached, the dispute was referred to the Labour Court on 18 December 2025 in accordance with Section 26(1) of the Industrial Relations Act, 1990.

Labour Court hearings took place on 23 December 2025 and 7 January 2026.

RECOMMENDATION:

The dispute between the parties arises from the failure of the Employer to engage in a timely manner in relation to National Mobilisation and Communication (NMAC) system project. The initial referral to conciliation was in respect of that issue and seven other issues which were resolved at conciliation.  The issue referred to the Court was the implementation of NMAC system in the Eastern Region. There were a total of five conciliation hearings and two Labour Court hearings over the period 12 September 2025 to 7 January 2026.

Summary of Trade Union Submission

The Union submitted that managements proposal to introduce two Computer Aided Dispatch Systems (CAD) into Dublin Fire Brigade (DFB) would fragment the Fire and EMS operations, remove simultaneous mobilisation, undermine established incident command structures and place elements of DFB’s emergency response capability outside of a single operational system. The current model provides a fully integrated single emergency response framework, where early intervention, simultaneous mobilisation and unified command have directly contributed to improved patient outcomes and public safety. Fire-Based EMS is a core public safety function underpinned by statute, embedded in national policy, internationally recognised and central to the protection of Dublin City citizens.

The Eastern Regional Communications Centre (ERCC) is operated by DFB and processes all emergency fire and ambulance calls on a fully integrated system. In addition, the ERCC also provides call and dispatch for 13 authorities in Leinster, Cavan and Monaghan. This covers 95 fire stations with responsibility to mobilise over 220 frontline appliances. The ERCC enables the effective application of the Incident Command System, ensuring that operational decisions are informed, coordinated, and responsive to evolving risk. The NMAC platform is a national Fire Service mobilisation and communications platform for the Western and Munster Regions. The National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management (NDFEM) have signalled their intention to make the platform available for the mobilisation of resources in the remaining Eastern Authorities. In response to this DFB are proposing to implement NMAC for its fire resources only as the NDFEM are not prepared to accommodate the DFB EMS resources on that platform.

On 19 June 2025 SIPTU wrote to the Employer in respect of the proposed implementation of the NMAC platform and the fact that there had been no consultation or engagement. Following a ballot of its members the Union wrote to the Employer on 1 September 2025 giving notice of industrial action. The action was stood down when the matters were referred to the conciliation services of the WRC.

Seven of the the items in dispute were resolved at conciliation and the remaining issue, the implementation of the NMAC system was jointly referred to the Court.

The Union’s position is that it believes that the functions currently carried out by the DFB STORM system will be critically degraded by the management proposal to have a dual system i.e. fire resources on NMAC and EMS resources on a separate system (two CAD system).  In their submission the Union set out examples of where the current one CAD system meant that resources were mobilised simultaneously through a single key stroke. An option that would not be available on a two CAD system. The Union believes that the proposed separation of Fire and EMS calls is inconsistent with Government policy. International evidence demonstrates that separating Fire and EMS call-taking and dispatch into parallel systems has been repeatedly identified as a source of increased operation risk and delay.

An option paper prepared by the NDFEM in July 2025 indicated a willingness to implement NMAC for the Eastern Region authorities apart from Dublin. However, a national platform that does not fully integrate the State’s primary urban Fire and EMS service cannot deliver its intended benefits.

SIPTU members in DFB support national reform, technological modernisation and the objectives of NMAC but in a context where all Dublin’s Fire Brigade resources are included within a single operational system.

Summary of Employer submission

The Employer submitted that significant progress had been made at conciliation in respect of the issues referred except for the implementation of NMAC. The substantive issue of the implementation of the NMAC System is critical to the future operations of Dublin Fire Brigade. The NMAC is a national platform that is a critical piece of the national infrastructure to ensure public safety and ensuring a resilient enterprise architecture that is based on the principle of a capability to answer any call from any location at any Regional Communication centre. It is delivered as a shared service across local authorities with Limerick City & County Council acting as the contracting authority. The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage through the NDFEM provide capital funding and policy oversight.

NMAC has been progressing towards a go live in the eastern region in November 2025, with training in the Eastern Region Scheduled to commence on 17 July 2025. Client installations are complete in the DFB training centre in the OBI in Dublin to support that process.  This was delayed on foot of SIPTU’s notice of industrial action.

The board of NDFEM have indicated that they are unwilling to maintain this status quo beyond 13 January 2026 when they have stated their preferred option is to remove Eastern Regional call taking service for all counties outside of the Dublin Local authorities and implement a new regional control centre in an alternative location in another local authority. This will result in the loss of funding to Dublin Fire Brigade of €1.5 million and make up to 20 posts in the ERCC redundant across three categories of workers, Emergency Service Controllers, Communication Technology Officers and Firefighters.

If this was to happen it would remove approximately 20,000 direct calls to the ERCC per annum and another 40,000 estimated associated calls to the Eastern Regional fire services.

The Employer stated that the failure to fully implement the NMAC system carries risk to all local authorities currently serviced by Dublin Fire Brigade as the current legacy CAD system (STORM) will not be supported by the provider from end of 2027 and the provider is exiting the market. The failure to implement NMAC leaves Dublin isolated from national critical infrastructure. This position is ultimately unacceptable to the Chief Executives of the Dublin and Eastern Regional local authorities.

The NDFEM have decided that the NMAC is exclusively for the management of fire calls. DFB are committed to the retention of the Eastern Regional Fire calls within the ERCC and to the DFB Fire/EMS system. The current CAD system (Storm) will need to be replaced with an ambulance system, and the employer is committed to ensuring that system will be designed to integrate as fully as possible with both NMAC and NAS CAD. 

Management believes that the operation of a dual CAD approach in the ERCC (National Fire and an Ambulance CAD), using the separate call-taking and dispatch model will be a more efficient system, which will open opportunities for EMS development in DFB by providing greater patient safety outcomes and will meet with HIQA compliance, future securing DFB’s EMS future. Management have provided to the Unions a detailed overview of how this can be achieved and would operate in the ERCC and have provided a data analysis of the current situation to provide a comparison with the proposed approach.

Dublin City Council/Dublin Fire Brigade have demonstrated their commitment to the retention of the ERCC and to invest significantly in implementing best practice solutions to ensure the long-term sustainability of the call taking and dispatch of both Fire and Ambulance service in Dublin Fire Brigade.

Discussion

The following seven items were agreed at conciliation by both parties.

1. Paramedic Training – Management agrees to withdraw the relevant memo related to the provision of paramedic training and it is now the stated position of management that there will be no future requirement for such delays to occur.

Should it become apparent that the requirement for delays in the delivery of training may arise any decision on how this will proceed will be done with full and early consultation and engagement with the relevant trade unions.

2. Work-sharing – Management confirm that the initial pilot project has now been completed and is committed to the establishment of a working group to engage with the trade unions regarding the future potential for any further pilot schemes to assess the viability of work-sharing in Dublin Fire Brigade.
3. Store Checks – Management confirms that from January 2026 Store checks will be the responsibility of the logistics section and will not be carried out by operational firefighters on station duty.
4. On Boarding – Management confirms that there will be full engagement with the trade unions regarding the implementation of on-boarding with a proposal to complete engagement and introduce employee onboarding in keeping with Dublin City Council Corporate Policy that is appropriately tailored to the operational elements of Dublin Fire Brigade within 6 months.
5. Fleet Management - Management have provided relevant information and commitments to GDPR and have confirmed that these will be incorporated through an appropriate DPIA in the system due to be commissioned.

Management will continue to engage in any specific areas of concern not limited to use, security, welfare and retention of data.

6. Overtime - Management confirm that the proposed emailing of overtime information will be carried out by email and will agree a methodology and frequency of how this will be delivered. To commence in January 2026.
7. No Fault compensation scheme – Management has committed to providing full information in relation to all schemes and avenue of redress available to firefighters who suffer illness or injury in the workplace and the manner in which these may be accessed. This information is currently being prepared for circulation.

Management further commit to the reviewing of the Sweeney Process agreement in accordance with the aspects agreed therein in the context of any failure to abide by the provisions of the agreement and to engage and reach agreement with the Trade Unions in relation to any renegotiation of productivities/efficiency achieved.

Matter before the Court

The issue jointly referred to the Labour Court by the WRC on behalf of the parties was ‘implementation of the NMAC system’. During engagement with the parties the fact that the current Storm system that is being used in the ERCC will not be supported after year end 2027 was surfaced and it was agreed that this should be factored into our deliberations.

Both parties were in agreement that the retention by the ERCC of call taking and dispatch for both Fire and Ambulance service in Dublin Fire Brigade was not an issue in this dispute and that nothing that was being considered in this process should be considered a threat either directly or indirectly to same.

The parties also agreed that they should take the necessary steps to ensure that the threat by NDFEM to remove Eastern Regional call taking service for all counties outside of the Dublin Local authorities, and implement a new regional control centre in an alternative location in another Local Authority from mid-January 2026 did not materialise.

To that end the Court is recommending

In respect of non-Dublin fire calls in the Eastern region both parties agree to the immediate introduction of the regional fire calls onto the NMAC system to avoid the possibility of the NDFEM board deciding to remove these calls from the ERCC.   This agreement is to the full implementation of the NMAC system, processes, procedures, and training for the non-Dublin calls in the ERCC.

The Court noted SIPTU’s request to have the Worker’s operating the NMAC system located in an alternative venue. However, taking into account some of the earlier submissions by the Union about the importance of retaining all the Eastern call and dispatch work in the ERCC and the fact that there are Worker’s in another Union who were not party to the Labour Court process who might be impacted by that, the Court cannot recommend concession of that element of the SIPTU claim.  The Court in making this recommendation to the immediate introduction of the Regional fire calls onto the NMAC system is clear that this is a standalone issue that will not be relied on as a precedent in the working group discussions set out below or any actions arising from same by either party.

Remaining issue

The remaining issue is the requirement to replace the current Storm System which will not be supported after December 2027 and the migration to an alternative system.

Court Recommendation

The Court is recommending a Joint Working Group which will be known as “the Joint Working Group”. The Working Group will be chaired by an Independent Chair identified by the Court.

The purpose / remit of the Working Group is;

To explore and agree on solutions regarding the proposed migration of Dublin Emergency Fire and Ambulance calls to the NDFEM National Mobilization and Communications System (NMACS). Both parties agreed that the Working Group would look at one CAD and dual CAD solutions.

The guiding principles it will operate under are: 

• Both parties agree to abide by the bilaterally established terms of reference and to remain focused within their scope.  

• Both parties accept the Labour Court’s nominated independent Chair of the Working Group and agree to their ongoing direction.   

• Both parties agree to examine all relevant options and technical solutions having regard to the Collaboration Proposal to the “Report of HSE/DCC Joint Ambulance Service Delivery Task and Finish Group”.  
• Both parties commit to reaching a recommended outcome within reasonably practicable timeframe, commencing immediately.
• The parties commit to engaging in this dispute resolution process in good faith, avoiding actions that undermine service delivery or pre-empt resolution.  The status quo will be maintained for DFB resources within the ERCC.   

 The membership of the Working Group will be as follows: 

• The Working Group shall consist of an independent Chair appointed by the Labour Court. The group shall consist of equal representatives from Management and Trade Unions to be determined by the Chair. Each party shall include at least one relevant ERCC technically or operationally experienced employee within their representation.  This is to ensure the DFB personnel affected by the group’s decisions are appropriately represented on the Working Group. The independent Chair may invite independent technical experts where required.  
• It is preferable that members of the Working Group are familiar with current operations in the ERCC including all operational and command and control functions.  

 The Chairperson’s Role  

• The independent Chair will facilitate discussions and ensure adherence to the agreed scope. If consensus cannot be achieved, the Chair will make a formal recommendation for acceptance by both parties.   
• If the recommendation is not accepted by either party the outcome will be referred to the Labour Court for their recommendation.   

Working Methods  

• The Working Group shall agree to meet as soon as reasonably practical after 07/01/2026, and at least fortnightly thereafter, until a solution has been achieved. DFB management shall commit to facilitating any necessary duty releases to allow group representation to function effectively.  The Chair will have discretion on the scheduling of meetings.  
• The Chair shall report on progress to the relevant leads on each side as required and will at his/her discretion keep the Labour Court informed of progress, as necessary, or as deemed required by consensus of the Working Group.   

Scope  

Commitment to maintaining integrated Fire based EMS emergency (112 / 999) service delivery in Dublin Fire Brigade (DFB) should be the principal guiding factor for the work of the group. All options and possible technical solutions should be explored, guided by achieving the best possible outcomes in respect of the following factors within the applicable timeframe:  

1. Maximising patient, public, and Firefighter/Paramedic safety. 
2. Adhering to mobilizing the nearest / most appropriate resource to the patient / incident principle, having regard to the “Report of HSE/DCC Joint Ambulance Service Delivery Task and Finish Group”.
3. To have cognisance of national governance, stakeholder compliance, legislative obligations, financial and regulatory requirements and the recommendations of the “Report of HSE/DCC Joint Ambulance Service Delivery Task and Finish Group”. 
4. Examining best possible system integration for Fire and EMS calls between all relevant emergency communication centres, which allow for greater Fire, EMS and ERCC service delivery development opportunities and having regard to the “Report of HSE/DCC Joint Ambulance Service Delivery Task and Finish Group” recommendations.   
5. Examining relevant national and international best practice and considering independent third-party technical advice. 
6. Ensuring best practice in resilience, redundancy, technical enhancements, and support structures for all proposed solutions. 
7. Ensuring protection of the existing Command and Control and resource management capacity available to the DFB Mobilisation Officer. 
8. Compliance with relevant legislation, specifically Local Authority obligations under the Fire Service’s Act 1981 and 2003. 
9. Agreeing to provide, and engage with, relevant training requirements.

On acceptance by both parties of this recommendation, the Chair of the Joint Working Group will contact the parties with a view to arranging a first meeting at the earliest possible date.

The Court so recommends.

	Signed on behalf of the Labour Court
	Louise O'Donnell
TH	______________________
12 January 2026	Chairman

NOTE

Enquiries concerning this Recommendation should be in writing and addressed to Ms Therese Hickey, Court Secretary.