Tribute to former NIFRS chair

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has paid tribute to Carmel McKinney OBE who has died after a period of ill health.

Ms McKinney was the first female chair of the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) Board, serving in the post from 2015 to 2023.

A former school principal, she held a number of other public appointments including Equality Commissioner and membership of the Northern Ireland Policing Board.

She received a number of awards in her distinguished career, including the Guardian Public Services Awards for Leadership Excellence in 2017 and the Institute of Directors Non-Executive Director of the Year 2018. She received an OBE in 2008 for services to education.

Mr Nesbitt said: “I was very saddened to hear of Carmel’s passing and would like to express my condolences to her family and friends.

“I served with Carmel on the Policing Board and found her to be very knowledgeable and supportive."

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