New fire service training facility in Co Tyrone gets the green light

By Rebecca Black, PA

A new training facility for the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service has received the green light.

Mid Ulster Council has granted planning approval for the final phase of the Learning & Development Centre.

The £42.2 million investment is a Northern Ireland Executive flagship project and represents the largest capital build ever undertaken by NIFRS.

A new training facility for the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service has received the green light.https://t.co/KXTLM6h1eI

— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) June 9, 2021

It is set to include a specialist driving and road traffic collision training area, a training environment for collapsed buildings and below ground rescue, a floodwater rescue training facility and a call-out village which will include a bungalow, a semi-detached dwelling, and a detached dwelling.

It will be built close to the existing Tactical Firefighting Facility on the site which opened in September 2019 as Phase One of the project.

First Minister Arlene Foster and deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill welcomed the granting of planning permission.

“We are another important step closer to opening the doors on a world-class firefighter training centre which can simulate real life and death scenarios,” Mrs Foster said.

“The new facilities will enable a transformation in how training is delivered as part of a significant shift in the modernising of the service.”

Ms O’Neill also welcomed the investment in her Mid Ulster constituency.

“I welcome this significant investment in Mid Ulster, which will provide a real boost for the regional economy and the people of the area,” she said.

“Securing planning approval represents real progress in this hugely important project. The new centre will benefit us all; through the continued development of a first class fire and rescue service that protects our whole community.

“It will also ensure our firefighters have access to the training experiences and facilities they deserve.”

Health Minister Robin Swann added: “This flagship project is the largest capital investment ever undertaken by NIFRS and further enhances the Service’s ability to protect the lives of everyone in Northern Ireland.”

Chief Fire and Rescue officer Michael Graham said it was a “really important milestone in this ambitious project”.

“The delivery of Phase 2 has been achieved through years of planning and hard work by many people,” he said.

“This approval brings us a step closer to delivering the world class training facilities our Firefighters deserve and I commend everyone involved in the project to date.”

And he said: "These facilities will revolutionise how we train develop our people to best protect everyone who lives and works in Northern Ireland."

Construction is scheduled to begin in early 2022 and to be completed in 2024.

(Artist's impression of the new facility)