The Department of Health has announced extensions to the terms of appointment of two Non-Executive (Local Government Representative) Members to the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS).
Councillor Cadogan Enright’s and Councillor Robert Irvine’s extensions commenced on 1 September 2023 and will end on a date not later than 29 February 2024.
The NIFRS Non-Executive Member positions attract an annual remuneration of £6,535 with a time commitment of 3 days per month.
These extensions are made in accordance with the Code of Practice issued by the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland.
The Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) was established on 1 July 2006 through the Fire and Rescue Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 (the 2006 Order).
NIFRS protects and serves the entire population of Northern Ireland, an area of over 5,500 square miles providing them with a range of fire and rescue services. Under the 2006 Order, the Fire Safety Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010, and the Fire and Rescue Services (Emergencies) Order (Northern Ireland) 2011, NIFRS responds to fires, road traffic collisions and other emergencies including chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear incidents, search and rescue incidents, serious flooding and serious transport incidents. A range of community engagement initiatives are provided to help reduce risk and keep people safe from the dangers of fire and other types of incidents that we respond to. The organisation has a dedicated Regional Control Centre where all the Fire 999 calls for Northern Ireland are answered, and Fire Crews mobilised to respond. NIFRS has 68 Fire Stations across Northern Ireland utilising a variety of crewing models using Whole-time, On-Call and Volunteer Firefighters.
The NIFRS Board Members are appointed in accordance with Schedule 1 to 2006 Order. The Board of NIFRS comprises the Chief Fire and Rescue Officer, a Non-Executive Chair and 10 other Non-Executive Members appointed by the Department.
Notes to editors:
- Councillor Robert Irvine has been a partner in R.J. Irvine, a quantity surveying and project management consultancy firm, since 1982. He has been an elected local District Councillor since 2001 and currently sits as a member of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council. Cllr Irvine has one other public appointment as a Non-Executive Director of the Public Health Agency. This position attracts a remuneration of £9,873 per annum with a time commitment of 5 days per month.
- Councillor Cadogan Enright was appointed to the Board of NIFRS in 2015 and has served as Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee for the last 2 years. Cllr Enright has been a qualified chartered (FCCA) accountant for 38 years working in a diverse range of private and public sector roles. He also represents Newry Mourne and Down on the NI Drainage and Flooding Council and the Strangford Lough Management Committee where no remuneration is paid.
- Appointments to the NIFRS are made with the approval of the Department of Health.
- All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland requires the political activity of appointees to be published. Cllr Irvine has declared that he has undertaken political activity on behalf of the Ulster Unionist Party. Cllr Enright has declared that he has undertaken political activity on behalf of Alliance Party.
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