31/05/2007
Emergency Rescue station opens on Rathlin
The first joint Rescue Station between a fire and rescue service and the Coastguard in the UK is set to open tomorrow on Rathlin Island.
The Emergency Rescue Station is in association with the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).
It is understood the new purpose built station will greatly enhance emergency cover on the island, improving community safety both for residents and the many tourists who visit the island each year, as well as providing better working facilities for NIFRS and Coastguard personnel.
Colin Lammey, Chief Fire Officer of the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service who will jointly perform the official opening along with Peter Dymond, Chief Coastguard said: “Rathlin Rescue Station is the culmination of many months work and a very strong partnership between NIFRS and our colleagues in Her Majesty’s Coastguard.
"The new Rescue Station replaces the stone built garage which we previously operated from, which had become unsuitable for the requirements of the emergency services and modern day Rathlin Island.
“The way of life on Rathlin Island is unique in Northern Ireland and we wanted to ensure that both our 12 volunteer Firefighters and the volunteer Coastguard Rescue team had the right resources to provide the best possible emergency cover for the entire island – protecting both its residents and its many visitors.”
Peter Dymond, Chief Coastguard also said: “This is an important new facility for the 80 people who live on Rathlin Island as well as the many visitors to the area. Rathlin is a designated Special Area of Conservation and attracts thousands of visitors each year interested in seeing the unspoilt natural landscape and the abundance of wildlife around the island.
“Due to its geographical location off the north coast it has its own special requirements in terms of emergency cover and this new facility will allow us to ensure the best possible rescue service delivered by the Coastguard and Firefighters.
“The Rathlin Emergency Rescue Station demonstrates search and rescue partnership and cooperation working at its best and will ensure an integrated emergency response for the island.”
(JM/SP)
The Emergency Rescue Station is in association with the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).
It is understood the new purpose built station will greatly enhance emergency cover on the island, improving community safety both for residents and the many tourists who visit the island each year, as well as providing better working facilities for NIFRS and Coastguard personnel.
Colin Lammey, Chief Fire Officer of the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service who will jointly perform the official opening along with Peter Dymond, Chief Coastguard said: “Rathlin Rescue Station is the culmination of many months work and a very strong partnership between NIFRS and our colleagues in Her Majesty’s Coastguard.
"The new Rescue Station replaces the stone built garage which we previously operated from, which had become unsuitable for the requirements of the emergency services and modern day Rathlin Island.
“The way of life on Rathlin Island is unique in Northern Ireland and we wanted to ensure that both our 12 volunteer Firefighters and the volunteer Coastguard Rescue team had the right resources to provide the best possible emergency cover for the entire island – protecting both its residents and its many visitors.”
Peter Dymond, Chief Coastguard also said: “This is an important new facility for the 80 people who live on Rathlin Island as well as the many visitors to the area. Rathlin is a designated Special Area of Conservation and attracts thousands of visitors each year interested in seeing the unspoilt natural landscape and the abundance of wildlife around the island.
“Due to its geographical location off the north coast it has its own special requirements in terms of emergency cover and this new facility will allow us to ensure the best possible rescue service delivered by the Coastguard and Firefighters.
“The Rathlin Emergency Rescue Station demonstrates search and rescue partnership and cooperation working at its best and will ensure an integrated emergency response for the island.”
(JM/SP)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
05 April 2017
Two Teens Rescued From Rocks In Co Down
Two teenage girls have been rescued after being trapped on rocks in Bangor, Co Down. It is believed they had been stuck on the rocks for a number of hours. Emergency services were alerted just after 9pm on Tuesday, 04 April. Bangor Coastguard Rescue Team, the Coastguard Helicopter and Bangor RNLI Lifeboat were deployed.
Two Teens Rescued From Rocks In Co Down
Two teenage girls have been rescued after being trapped on rocks in Bangor, Co Down. It is believed they had been stuck on the rocks for a number of hours. Emergency services were alerted just after 9pm on Tuesday, 04 April. Bangor Coastguard Rescue Team, the Coastguard Helicopter and Bangor RNLI Lifeboat were deployed.
03 April 2013
Man Dies After Portstewart Harbour Fall
A man who died on Tuesday evening after falling into the sea near Portstewart harbour in L'Derry has been named as Stanley Duncan, chief executive of the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) in Northern Ireland. Mr Duncan is reported to have been fishing close to the shore at Victoria Terrace before 17:00 when the incident occurred.
Man Dies After Portstewart Harbour Fall
A man who died on Tuesday evening after falling into the sea near Portstewart harbour in L'Derry has been named as Stanley Duncan, chief executive of the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) in Northern Ireland. Mr Duncan is reported to have been fishing close to the shore at Victoria Terrace before 17:00 when the incident occurred.
10 April 2006
Climber killed by lightning strike
A man who was found dead on the top of a County Down mountain at the weekend may have been struck by lightning. The man's body was found on Slieve Donard in the Mourne Mountains just before 2pm on Saturday by a group of walkers.
Climber killed by lightning strike
A man who was found dead on the top of a County Down mountain at the weekend may have been struck by lightning. The man's body was found on Slieve Donard in the Mourne Mountains just before 2pm on Saturday by a group of walkers.
21 September 2022
Health Minister Praises Community Staff On Rathlin Island
Health Minister Robin Swann has praised the work of health and social care staff, firefighters and community representatives who support residents of Rathlin Island. The Minister visited the island where he met members of the Rathlin Development & Community Association (RDCA) as well as the local nursing team and volunteer firefighters.
Health Minister Praises Community Staff On Rathlin Island
Health Minister Robin Swann has praised the work of health and social care staff, firefighters and community representatives who support residents of Rathlin Island. The Minister visited the island where he met members of the Rathlin Development & Community Association (RDCA) as well as the local nursing team and volunteer firefighters.
29 May 2019
Body Found In Missing Person Search
The search for a "high-risk missing person" in north Belfast has sadly ended with the discovery of a body. Volunteers from the Community Rescue Service (CRS) were deployed to the area on Tuesday morning, 28 May, to assist in the search for a person who had been missing from their home for some time.
Body Found In Missing Person Search
The search for a "high-risk missing person" in north Belfast has sadly ended with the discovery of a body. Volunteers from the Community Rescue Service (CRS) were deployed to the area on Tuesday morning, 28 May, to assist in the search for a person who had been missing from their home for some time.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.