A planning application for an ambitious £42.2m investment in their Learning and Development Centre at Desertcreat just outside Cookstown has been submitted by the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS).
The application is for the latest phase in the facility which opened in September 2019 and represents the largest capital investment in NIFRS’ history.
Plans include the building of a specialist driving and road traffic collision training area, a training environment for collapsed buildings and below ground rescue. There are also plans to build a swift water rescue training facility and a “call out village” which will include a bungalow, a semi-detached dwelling and a detached dwelling.
Pending a successful planning application, construction is scheduled to begin in early 2022 and to be completed in 2024.
Minister of Health Robin Swann said: “I welcome the news that NIFRS have submitted their planning application for the development of the second phase of their Learning & Development Centre.
“Firefighters run toward danger when others run away and it is vitally important that when they face those challenges they receive the best possible training.
“If approved this flagship project will represent the largest capital investment ever undertaken by NIFRS and further enhance the Services ability to protect the lives of all the people of Northern Ireland.”
First Minister Arlene Foster said: “I am pleased that the NIFRS Learning and Development facility at Desertcreat has taken another step forward. Ambitious projects such as this are a huge, multi-agency undertaking and I commend all those involved for their efforts so far. I look forward to seeing the finished centre, which I trust will be a fitting training facility for the brave men and women who pass through its doors.”
Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill said: “This is a significant development in an ongoing project which represents both a huge investment in Mid Ulster and a good news story for the local area. Not only will this facility at Desertcreat improve training for the Fire and Rescue Service but it also provides a major boost for the construction sector and the regional economy. Most importantly, in producing the firefighters of tomorrow, it improves safety for us all.”
Chief Fire and Rescue Officer Michael Graham said: “These plans represent a huge investment, not just in our employees, but in the safety of everybody in Northern Ireland.
“We are planning to build facilities which will mean our Firefighters are able to train in state of the art facilities. These will give them crucial “real world” experience in dealing with the hazards they face while protecting our community.
“I want to thank the Department of Health and the Minister for their support in this crucial project and I look forward to working closely with Mid Ulster Council throughout the rest of the planning process.”
Notes to editors:
- For media enquiries please contact DoH Press Office by pressoffice@health-ni.gov.uk.
- Follow us on twitter @healthdpt.
- The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.