Firefighters graduate

Yesterday afternoon I was delighted to accept an invitation from Chief Fire Officer, Peter Craig, to attend the graduation of 36 Firefighters at their training college in South Belfast.

As this was one of Peter’s last formal engagements before he retires, after 36 years of public service, it would be remiss of me not to pass on my personal thanks, and those of the Police Service, to Peter for his support to us over many years. I wish him a long, happy and healthy retirement.

Thirty Six men and women were celebrating the completion of their initial training before joining their new colleagues at their fire stations across Northern Ireland. I joined their very proud family members and friends as they demonstrated the skills which they had been taught over the past 18 weeks with a number of practical displays.

I admire each of them for their determination and desire to serve all the people of Northern Ireland and like police officers, they will be called upon to engage with danger as others make their way to safety.

We work very closely with our friends in the Fire and Rescue Service and the other blue light responders. We are looking forward to strengthening that relationship over the next few years as we prepare to begin the construction of the new Community Safety Services College at Desertcreat in Cookstown. This exciting venture will see police officers, firefighters and prison officers train under one roof.

Next summer we will also welcome the World Police & Fire Games to Belfast. This is the third largest sporting event in the world with a potential of 10,000 competitors and a further 15,000 accompanying visitors. And the Police Service, Fire and Rescue Service and Prison Service look forward to welcoming our colleagues from across the globe to Northern Ireland.

But as these new firefighters make their way to their new postings, I wish each of them a long, very enjoyable and safe career. I encourage you to give them your full support, listen to the important advice they give and make sure that when they are responding to calls to keep us all safe, that they can do so free from intimidation and confrontation.