Latest news with #AidanJennings
RTÉ News
28-05-2025
- General
- RTÉ News
'Milestone day's as £50m firefighter training centre opens in Tyrone
A new £50 million training centre for firefighters has been opened in Northern Ireland. The state-of-the-art facility in Cookstown, Co Tyrone, provides opportunities for scenario-based training in things like water rescue and collapsed buildings. There is also a farm building and slurry tank to replicate the danger of slurry gases and provide an opportunity to train in large animal rescue. One of the buildings also doubles as the deck of a ship with a bridge which can be set on fire. Training is already being provided to firefighters from the Republic of Ireland at the site. Officers were also given collapsed building training in the wake of the Creeslough tragedy in 2022 in which ten people died. Dublin, Galway, Laois and Cork have all sent teams for Urban Search and Rescue training. Northern Ireland's Chief Fire Officer Aidan Jennings described the opening of the new centre as a "milestone day" for the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service. "The college is revolutionising how we train and develop our people to meet the evolving needs of a modern-day Fire and Rescue Service and build on the collaborative working with other emergency responders and statutory agencies," Mr Jennings said. "This is key to successful emergency incident intervention and resolution," he added. The £50m centre is a scaled back project from what had originally been envisaged on the site almost 20 years ago. It was originally intended to be a joint training facility for all the emergency services including the police and ambulance service. However, it was dogged by delay and questions over funding. It was scaled back in recent years to be a fire service only facility. Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O'Neill and Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly attended today's opening along with several other executive ministers. Ms O'Neill said the training centre would serve people for generations. "And it is no less than our brave firefighters deserve; the people selflessly confront dangerous situations to keep people safe and save lives," she said. "As well as being a real asset to the Mid Ulster area, it will stand as a centre of excellence that supports the safety of our whole community for many years to come," she added. Ms Little-Pengelly said it would allow trainees to develop the skills to deal with an increasingly complex set of emergencies. "It will ensure the brave men and women who pass through the doors are well equipped to save lives and protect property and the environment in the best and safest way possible," she said. At present 42 firefighters are completing their training at the centre, the first recruits to pass through it.
RTÉ News
28-05-2025
- General
- RTÉ News
New £50m firefighter training centre opens in Tyrone
A new £50 million training centre for firefighters has been opened in Northern Ireland. The state-of-the-art facility in Cookstown, Co Tyrone, provides opportunities for scenario-based training in things like water rescue and collapsed buildings. There is also a farm building and slurry tank to replicate the danger of slurry gases and provide an opportunity to train in large animal rescue. One of the buildings also doubles as the deck of a ship with a bridge which can be set on fire. Training is already being provided to firefighters from the Republic of Ireland at the site. Officers were also given collapsed building training in the wake of the Creeslough tragedy in 2022 in which ten people died. Dublin, Galway, Laois and Cork have all sent teams for Urban Search and Rescue training. Northern Ireland's Chief Fire Officer Aidan Jennings described the opening of the new centre as a "milestone day" for the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service. "The college is revolutionising how we train and develop our people to meet the evolving needs of a modern-day Fire and Rescue Service and build on the collaborative working with other emergency responders and statutory agencies," Mr Jennings said. "This is key to successful emergency incident intervention and resolution," he added. The £50m centre is a scaled back project from what had originally been envisaged on the site almost 20 years ago. It was originally intended to be a joint training facility for all the emergency services including the police and ambulance service. However, it was dogged by delay and questions over funding. It was scaled back in recent years to be a fire service only facility. Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O'Neill and Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly attended today's opening along with several other executive ministers. Ms O'Neill said the training centre would serve people for generations. "And it is no less than our brave firefighters deserve; the people selflessly confront dangerous situations to keep people safe and save lives," she said. "As well as being a real asset to the Mid Ulster area, it will stand as a centre of excellence that supports the safety of our whole community for many years to come," she added. Ms Little-Pengelly said it would allow trainees to develop the skills to deal with an increasingly complex set of emergencies. "It will ensure the brave men and women who pass through the doors are well equipped to save lives and protect property and the environment in the best and safest way possible," she said. At present 42 firefighters are completing their training at the centre, the first recruits to pass through it.
Yahoo
06-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Huge wildfire near Mourne Mountains treated as arson
A huge gorse fire in County Down which led to the evacuation of homes in the vicinity of the Mourne Mountains is believed to have been started deliberately. A major incident was declared after the large wildfire broke out on the Sandbank Road in Hilltown about 17:00 BST on Saturday. More than 100 firefighters with 15 appliances worked throughout the night to bring it under control. The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) said the blaze stretched for approximately two miles, including a large area of forestry and it was close to property. The fire service told BBC News NI that a small number of nearby residents had been asked to leave their homes overnight. Chief Fire Officer Aidan Jennings said the conditions had been very difficult, with high winds complicating efforts to dampen the blaze. "The cause of this fire is believed to have been deliberate," he said. "I would like to acknowledge the dedication and commitment of our firefighters, control room operators and support staff who have worked tirelessly in recent days to ensure the safety of our community across Northern Ireland." The fire service began to reduce resources at the site at about 03:00 BST. The blaze came after the National Hazards Partnership issued an amber wildfire warning this weekend, highlighting the likelihood of fires that could be difficult to control. Meanwhile, the police said the Slievenaman Road, Newcastle, is closed on Sunday due to another gorse fire in the Mournes. Ott car park is also closed and members of the public, including road users, are asked not to travel to the area. NI Water said Silent Valley Mountain Park, would be closed until further notice due to wildfires. Ciaran Diamond of NI Water said: "We know how much our visitors love Silent Valley and, earlier this week, we had partially reopened the park in the aftermath of Storm Éowyn. "However, NI Water must ensure public safety so the park will be closed from today Sunday 6th April 2025 until further notice. "We would like to reiterate our appeal to the public to be vigilant. Wildfires not only pose a risk to human life, wildlife and the environment but also our drinking water catchment areas." Mr Jennings from the fire service said that from midnight on 3 April to midnight on 5 April the fire service received a total of 741 calls into its regional control centre. "We are asking the public to remain particularly vigilant to the risk of fire at this time. We can reassure members of the public that normal service delivery is being maintained," he said. The main Hilltown to Rostrevor Road and Sandbanks Road were closed for a number of hours but have since reopened. Multiple wildfires have been reported in the Mourne Mountains in recent weeks. Some of them are thought to have been started deliberately. The minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Andrew Muir, described the blazes as having a devastating impact on the environment and wildlife. Amber wildfire warning issued as dry weather continues Mourne Mountains fire believed to be 'deliberate' Firefighters put out Mourne Mountains gorse fire More than 60 firefighters tackled three blazes on Slieve Binnian
