Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) officially opened its new £50m state-of-the-art Learning & Development College, outside Cookstown at the end of May. The opening of the Northern Ireland Executive Flagship Programme for Government Project was attended by First Minister Michelle O’Neill, Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly and Health Minister Mike Nesbitt.
Supported by the Northern Ireland Executive and the Department of Health, the facility which was completed at the end of 2024, offers immersive training environments and specialist simulation spaces that reflect real-life emergency scenarios.
Phase 2 of the facility includes a flood water rescue facility, a training warehouse, a call out village, a barn and slurry pit, a motorway infrastructure and an academic building. Phase 1 of the college was completed in 2019 and includes a tactical firefighting facility and training support building.
NIFRS Chief Fire & Rescue Officer Aidan Jennings said the official opening marks a historic milestone for the fire service in Northern Ireland. “The college is revolutionising how we train and develop our people to meet the evolving needs of a modern-day fire and rescue service and build on the collaborative working with other emergency responders and statutory agencies.
“This is key to successful emergency incident intervention and resolution. The college fosters a culture of lifelong learning and marks the beginning of a new journey that will shape how we prepare, develop and support our people and our community.”
First Minister Michelle O’Neill said: “This new Learning and Development College is a state-of-the-art facility, providing world-class training experiences for our Fire and Rescue Service. And it is no less than our brave firefighters deserve; the people who, day and daily, selflessly confront dangerous situations to keep people safe and save lives. As well as being a real asset to the Mid Ulster area, it will stand as a centre of excellence that supports the safety of our whole community for many years to come.”
Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said: “This new college will ensure our firefighters can develop the vital skills required to help those in need and to protect our communities in state-of-the-art facilities. It will ensure the brave men and women who pass through the doors are well equipped to save lives and protect property and the environment in the best and safest way possible.”
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt said: “This is a landmark investment not just in the future of our Fire & Rescue Service, but in the safety and wellbeing of every community across Northern Ireland. It equips our Firefighters with world-class training facilities that will ensure they are trained and ready to face the most complex challenges of modern emergency response. I commend all those involved in delivering this visionary project and reaffirm the Department of Health’s commitment to supporting initiatives that protect and save lives.”
NIFRS welcomed its first intake of wholetime firefighters in February 2025, and following 18 weeks of initial training at the college, they will subsequently graduate on Thursday 19 June. Training courses and refresher programmes have also been completed there since summer 2024.
The opening ceremony was attended by First Minister Michelle O’Neill, Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly, Health Minister Mike Nesbitt and representatives from NIFRS Board, local government and community partners.
