As a result of this funding the NIFRS will benefit from significant investment in fire appliances, fire fighting equipment, and up-to-date IT systems. In addition, the process of replacing or modernising many fire stations across Northern Ireland will begin.
With total planned investment of some £168million over the next ten years, the NIRFS intends to replace 26 stations, including the purchase of 22 new sites and refurbish a further ten. A number of new pumping appliances will also be replaced annually until 2017 under the Fleet Replacement Strategy. This funding will include £30million for the planned new Public Sector Training College at Desertcreat near Cookstown which is being developed by the NIFRS, the PSNI and the NI Prison Service.
Speaking at an emergency response training exercise in Belfast, the Minister said: “A world-class health service needs a modern and responsive emergency service. The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service does a tremendous job in responding to a wide range of emergency incidents from fires, road traffic collisions and other specialist rescue calls. It is essential that we provide both front line staff and management with the necessary infrastructure to enable them to continue to deliver a quality, efficient and effective service to everyone in Northern Ireland.
“I therefore plan to invest a further £14million over the next three years which is in addition to the original £12million already allocated as a result of the Comprehensive Spending Review.
“Over the next ten years I plan to invest some £168million. This funding is as a result of the review of capital priorities which I commissioned to help inform me on the longer term investment required in the health and social care and public safety infrastructure.”
The Minister continued: “There will be major investment in fire appliances, with 11 frontline appliances to be replaced each year. Also, to assist the firefighters with critical risk information at incidents, a Mobile Data System with satellite navigation will be provided which will include computer terminals and screens in their vehicles. This will ensure that firefighters are able to carry out their life-saving work in vehicles which are roadworthy, reliable and modern.
“The Fire and Rescue Service has also identified the need to modernise or replace a number of their stations. Over the next three years, as well as the completion of a replacement Fire Station in Armagh City, new stations will be built in Omagh, Fintona, Cushendall and Newtownstewart. We will be looking to purchase suitable sites in other high priority locations across Northern Ireland.”
The Department is currently considering the NIFRS strategic business case to underpin this funding; work is in hand to expedite this process to ensure that expenditure can begin as soon as possible.
Notes to Editors:
- Over the ten year period 2008/09-2017/18 the Department has been allocated a total capital envelope of almost £3.3billion, against a bid of £5.8billion. Just over £700million of this is earmarked for the Comprehensive Spending Review period with the balance of just over £2.5 billion allocated in the remaining period of the Investment Strategy
- All capital expenditure is subject to the normal business case approval process.
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