Work to begin in May on £42.6m Fire and Rescue Service training centre

THE £42.6m final phase of the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) Learning and Development Centre near Cookstown is due to begin in May 2022.

Health Minister Robin Swann made the announcement during a visit to the Northern Ireland Executive flagship project outside Cookstown today.

He met with NIFRS Board Representative Ken Henning MBE, Senior NIFRS Officers and Managing Director Damian Gill, of Newry based firm Felix O’Hare & Co Ltd, who have been awarded the contract which is expected to be completed in 2024.

Minister Swann said, “This investment will enable NIFRS to undertake the largest capital build in their history. The facilities it provides will revolutionise how NIFRS trains and develops its people to protect everyone in Northern Ireland.

“The ambitious plans for phase two include the building of a specialist driving and road traffic collision training area, a training environment for collapsed buildings and below ground rescue, a flood water rescue training facility, an academic building, mock fire station, ship and a ‘call out village’ which will include a training scenario bungalow, semi-detached dwelling and a detached dwelling.

“These will provide firefighters with scenario-based realistic and repeatable training experiences and will complement the existing Tactical Firefighting Facility on the site which has been in operation since September 2019.”

NIFRS Chairperson Ms Carmel McKinney OBE said, “This is a hugely significant milestone in this visionary project of development and lifelong learning. Not only is it an investment in a safe and effective Fire and Rescue Service, it is an investment in the challenges we face in the future and the safety of everyone in Northern Ireland.

“On behalf of the NIFRS Board I welcome the appointment of a contractor to deliver on the largest capital build for NIFRS as we embrace what will be a transformative time in the history of our service.”