Fire crews cross border 100 times per year

FIREFIGHTERS from the Londonderry, Strabane and Dungiven areas are responding to almost 100 incidents in Donegal every year, it can be revealed.

The figures emerged after a statement by Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey said that 548 fire appliances from Northern Ireland had attended incidents in the Republic since 2005. Only 18 appliances based in the Republic came across the border in the opposite direction, according to Mr McGimpsey’s statement.

And figures obtained by the Sentinel today show that 497 of those 548 fire appliances that crossed the border were based in Londonderry, Strabane or Dungiven. However, the Fire and Rescue Service said that an agreed fee was paid for assisting incidents in the Donegal area.

Outlining the figures relating to cross-border incidents, Mr McGimpsey added: “The NIFRS Chief Fire Officer meets quarterly with the Chief Fire Officers of the six border counties in the Republic of ireland to discuss common issues including operational co-operation and training.

“Operational agreements are in place between NIFRS and Donegal County Council and a Memorandum of Understanding is in place with Louth Fire and Rescue Service for responding to incidents on the Newry / Dundalk link road. In addition a partnership agreement is in place between Belleek, Ballyshannon and Bundoran.”

The relationship between the Fire and Rescue Service and Donegal has been confirmed after enquiries were made by the Sentinel.

A Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson told the Sentinel: “In the past five years Fire Appliances from Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) have responded to 548 incidents in the Republic of Ireland (ROI). 497 of these incidents involved Fire Appliances from Crescent Link Fire Station, Northland Fire Station, Strabane Fire Station and Dungiven Fire Station.

“NIFRS has been involved in responding to emergencies along the border areas with their counterparts in ROI since 1965. Formal agreements between NIFRS and Donegal County Council now exist for NIFRS response in East Co Donegal for an agreed fee.”