NIFRS To Receive Freedom Of Ards And North Down Borough

The Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) will be honoured with the Freedom of the Borough by Ards and North Down Borough Council on Saturday, October 12, 2024.

As part of the celebrations, a public event will be held at Bangor City Hall from 3 PM to 5 PM, featuring fun activities and demonstrations of firefighting skills by local firefighters. Families will have the opportunity to learn more about NIFRS's vital role in responding to fires, road traffic collisions, and specialized rescue incidents, as well as their community engagement initiatives and safety advice.

Firefighters from all seven local stations will participate in the demonstrations, showcasing their expertise and dedication to serving the community. The event promises to be a memorable occasion for both residents and visitors to the borough.

Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Alistair Cathcart said: "The Freedom of the Borough is our highest honour, and we bestow it on organisations and people who make a very significant impact on our local community. The Fire & Rescue Service is extremely deserving, and I know many local people will have a personal story to tell about how the men and women of the Service have saved lives and property in their family or community. "I am therefore delighted that as part of the celebrations the Fire & Rescue Service is providing this opportunity for local people to come to City Hall in Bangor, to meet with serving officers from the area and to see a little more of the variety of services they deliver. I know many people will want to support the event and hope in particular families will join us in the afternoon so that children and young people can gain a better insight into the critical role the Fire & Rescue Service plays in our community."

As part of the afternoon session the Council is putting a special call out to local Scout groups who can earn their FIRE SAFETY Badge if they attend. Scout groups can come as a collective, or individual Scouts are very welcome and all with be assisted to complete their badge on the day.

NIFRS Assistant Group Commander, Jonathan Gamble commented: "The award of Freedom of the Borough is a great privilege for our Fire & Rescue Service as recognition of our contribution to the local community. It’s a further privilege for some of our local Firefighters to participate in the public display and to engage with local people in a fun and relaxed environment that they would usually be afforded. We are really looking forward to the afternoon and hope that the public join us to find out more about what we do. We will have specialist equipment on display and will deliver live demonstration of firefighting skills. There will also be some opportunities for visitors to try firefighting activities for themselves."

After the public display, a formal conferment ceremony will be held in City Hall Bangor for invited guests including serving and retired Firefighters from the local area. For more information see www.ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk/NIFRS.