Fire service 'reassures' community in Portadown area firefighters are 'ready to respond' despite claims almost one third of staff were off sick

The NIFRS said it wanted to reassure the local community that ‘an effective emergency response in the Portadown area is being maintained’.

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"Your Fire & Rescue Service is ready to respond when you need us most,” said a spokesperson.

This clarification comes after claims in the Belfast Telegraph that almost one third of staff at Portadown Fire Station ‘reportedly due to stress’. There were further claims of bullying and harassment in the workplace.

However, the NIFRS did not respond to detailed questions on these allegations.

In a statement a spokesperson for the NIFRS said: “A robust internal investigation into allegations of misconduct at Portadown Fire Station has concluded. The appropriate action has been taken in line with NIFRS policy. We do not comment on individual employee matters. Ongoing support is being provided.

“We want to reassure the local community that an effective emergency response in the Portadown area is being maintained. Your Fire & Rescue Service is ready to respond when you need us most.”

The NIFRS’ Southern Area Command is based at Portadown Fire Station in Thomas Street. Southern Area Command provides emergency cover for County Armagh and most of County Down; an area of approximately 1,454 sq miles serving a population of around 595,000 people.

It supports four District Headquarters: Bangor, Downpatrick, Newry and Portadown. These in turn support 23 Stations. Portadown District Headquarters is in turn responsible for Armagh, Banbridge, Dromore, Keady, Lurgan, Portadown Fire Stations.