NIFRS Celebrates Over 430 Employees

Northern Ireland Fire Rescue Service (NIFRS) has celebrated and acknowledged 431 committed employees who have achieved milestones of 20, 30 or 40 years of service.

Four Long Service & Good Conduct Awards Ceremonies took place in May and June at Craigavon Civic Centre, Coleraine Town Hall, Lagan Valley Island in Lisburn and Omagh Fire Station.

NIFRS Chief Fire & Rescue Officer Aidan Jennings and NIFRS Board Chairperson Jay Colville attended the ceremonies. Health Minister Mike Nesbitt attended the Lisburn event. Since the previous Long Service & Good Conduct Awards Ceremony, there has been a positive update: new clasps for 30 and 40 years of service have been introduced, aligning with the Royal Warrant for presentation to deserving employees. The awards recognise employees in both operational and support roles with NIFRS.

NIFRS Chief Fire & Rescue Officer Aidan Jennings said: "As Chief Fire & Rescue Officer, it is my privilege to publicly recognise our employees and to thank them for dedicated years of service in keeping people safe.

"Every colleague receiving their Long Service and Good Conduct Award has made an invaluable contribution to our organisation and the service we provide to the public, so this is an important event for all of those recognised.

"We also recognise and greatly value the support that families provide for our staff, especially for our operational staff in preparation for and in the aftermath of the difficult, demanding and often dangerous work they do in protecting the public."