How NIFRS is reshaping Northern Ireland’s access and training

Overview of NIFRS training and access developments

Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) has announced new cross-border training investment and a UK-wide first for Communication Access accreditation in November 2025.

The service has secured over €2 million from the PEACEPLUS programme for the TACTICS Project, which aims to improve interoperability and community resilience in border areas.

NIFRS has also become the first fire and rescue service in the UK to receive Communication Access accreditation from the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT).

Together, the developments link operational training, emergency preparedness and inclusive communication for people using NIFRS services and staff working within the organisation.

The announcements involve government departments and education partners across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, as well as national communication and inclusion bodies.

Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) funding

Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) said it has secured over €2 million from PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), for a major cross-border training project.

The funding supports the TACTICS Project, which stands for Training Across Communities for Tactical Interoperability for Cross-Border Safety.

The initiative aims to strengthen emergency preparedness, mutual aid and interoperability between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

NIFRS is working with the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management (NDFEM), South West College (SWC) and Mayo Sligo Leitrim Education & Training Board (MSLETB) to deliver the project.

The partners plan to focus on border areas where emergency response often involves organisations from both jurisdictions.

NIFRS confirmed that its Learning & Development College in Cookstown will act as the central training hub for the project.

Facilities at the college will be used for urban search and rescue (USAR), high volume pumping (HVP), multi-agency training and large-scale simulation exercises.

The investment is intended to bring firefighters and other emergency personnel together for shared training, joint exercises and specialist development programmes.

NIFRS expects the project to run over three years and to support long-term community resilience on both sides of the border.

TACTICS Project to build shared capability

NIFRS stated that the TACTICS Project is designed to build shared capacity across fire and rescue services in both jurisdictions.

The service linked the need for a strategic approach to joint working to incidents such as property fires, road traffic collisions and severe weather events in border areas.

NIFRS also referenced the increase in wildfires and other emergencies that can affect multiple counties and require coordinated response arrangements.

Aidan Jennings, NIFRS Chief Fire & Rescue Officer, said: “This PEACEPLUS project will enhance the capability and resilience of fire and rescue services on both sides of the border, building upon the strong cooperation that already exists.

“The core of this project is about enhancing firefighter and public safety by building shared capacity to respond to emergencies and help build safer more resilient communities.

“Tragic incidents such as Cresslough, property fires, road traffic collisions and the range of other emergencies fire and rescue services respond to in border areas – together with the rising frequency of severe weather and wildfires, reinforce the need for a strategic approach and investment to joint agency interoperability.

“The project embodies the spirit of the PEACEPLUS programme by fostering collaboration, understanding, and long-term resilience through shared public service.

“At the heart of the delivery of this project is our new Learning & Development College.

“It will build upon the training that is already taking place with our cross-border colleagues and will foster further opportunities for collaboration.

“I would like to thank the Special EU Programmes Body for its investment and acknowledge the work of all of the partners involved in securing this funding.

“We look forward to the delivery of this unique initiative over the next 3 years and to the multiple benefits it will bring to help keep people safe long into the future.”

NIFRS said the project will standardise processes and procedures for areas such as urban search and rescue across both services.

The organisation expects this to support faster, more efficient operations when crews work together at incidents.

Leadership views on cross-border emergency planning

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt described the role of the NIFRS Learning & Development College in the wider programme.

Mike Nesbitt, Health Minister, said: “This cross-border initiative demonstrates the value of partnership in protecting our communities.

“The NIFRS Learning & Development College is a beacon of excellence — showcasing world-class training that enhances firefighter safety and public confidence across the island.

“Through this collaboration, we are investing in people, in training, and in the resilience of our shared communities for generations to come.”

Keith Leonard, Director of the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management, linked the announcement to wider work between the services.

Keith Leonard, Director of the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management, said: “This announcement is the culmination of a huge amount of work between fire services in both jurisdictions.

“We look forward to the capacity and the all-island approach that this will bring for the fire services.

“It will mean that both fire services will operate the same processes and procedures in terms of urban search and rescue increasing the speed and efficiency of operation.

“For wider and more general type of emergencies, this cross-border engagement will strengthen operational integration and emergency preparedness.”

Irish Government Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage James Browne provided detail on the PEACEPLUS allocation.

James Browne, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, said: “This project will ensure that public and firefighter safety is at the heart of planning, preparedness and response mechanisms on the island of Ireland.

“This is critical to success over the next three years.

“€2.05 million from PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) is an essential and timely injection of support where it is badly needed, to upskill our dedicated front-line service teams and to boost our collaboration.

“Emergencies and weather-generated issues on the ground can happen in any county at any time.

“This fund reflects the need to act as a team to respond

“I would like to thank SEUPB and all involved in this joint proposal between the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management and our colleagues in Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service”

NIFRS and NDFEM indicated that the project aims to embed these collaborative arrangements beyond the three-year funding period.

NIFRS gains Communication Access accreditation

Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) said it has become the first fire and rescue service in the UK to receive Communication Access accreditation.

The accreditation has been awarded through the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT).

NIFRS stated that the recognition relates to its work in making services accessible to people with communication differences.

The service said it wants all members of the public to be able to contact and interact with NIFRS effectively.

The accreditation also applies to staff within NIFRS who have communication differences.

The organisation noted that this forms part of creating a more understanding and inclusive workplace.

As part of the process, NIFRS employees now have access to specialist training on inclusive communication.

The training is intended to build awareness, confidence and practical skills for communicating with people who have speech, language or communication needs.

NIFRS confirmed that the Communication Access symbol will now be displayed across its sites.

The symbol is used to indicate ongoing commitment to accessible communication and inclusive service delivery.

Training to support inclusive communication practice

NIFRS stated that internal leadership and staff have played a key role in achieving the Communication Access accreditation.

The organisation highlighted the contribution of Watch Commander Peter Bradley in coordinating the initiative.

Tabitha Ramsay, NIFRS Director of People & Culture, said: “This accreditation is a significant achievement for our Service, and much of that is down to Peter’s dedication and leadership.

“He has driven this initiative from the very beginning, ensuring that our people are equipped to communicate inclusively.

“We’re incredibly proud of the work he’s done and the positive impact it will have on both our community and our people.”

NIFRS indicated that communication needs arise in a wide range of situations for its staff.

These include emergency incidents, home fire safety visits, community events and everyday conversations.

Peter Bradley, NIFRS Watch Commander, said: “We interact with people in all kinds of situations, from emergencies and home fire safety visits to community events and every day conversation.

“It’s vital that everyone we speak to feels heard, respected and understood.

“Achieving Communications Access accreditation has given our people the tools to make that happen.

“It’s about breaking down barriers, supporting inclusion, and making sure accessibility is built into everything we do as a Service.

“We’re proud to set the standard for Fire & Rescue Services across the UK.”

NIFRS said the training will continue to be available to staff as part of its ongoing people and culture work.

National Communication Access UK initiative

NIFRS explained that the accreditation process is linked to the national Communication Access UK scheme.

Communication Access UK is a national initiative developed by the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) together with charities and organisations across the UK.

The scheme provides free training and accreditation to businesses and services that commit to inclusive communication for people with speech, language and communication needs.

NIFRS stated that its involvement in the scheme is intended to standardise how staff approach communication with people who may have different needs.

The service said that displaying the Communication Access symbol is a public indication of this commitment.

Communication Access UK materials are used to support training content within NIFRS.

NIFRS indicated that achieving accreditation aligns with its wider focus on accessibility in service planning and delivery.

Implications for emergency managers and training leads

Senior officers in fire and rescue services may use the TACTICS Project as a reference point for cross-border or cross-jurisdictional training models that link national directorates, colleges and education bodies.

Emergency and disaster response managers can review how NIFRS plans to standardise processes for urban search and rescue and other incident types to speed up joint operations in shared risk areas.

Training officers and instructors may examine the role of the NIFRS Learning & Development College as a central hub for multi-agency exercises, high volume pumping and large-scale simulations.

Government departments involved in funding or overseeing emergency services can look at the PEACEPLUS allocation of €2.05 million as an example of how regional investment has been tied directly to interoperability and resilience outcomes.

People and culture leaders in fire and rescue organisations may consider how NIFRS has linked Communication Access accreditation to workforce training, internal inclusion and public-facing service standards.

Fire safety officers responsible for community outreach and home fire safety visits can assess the Communication Access UK framework as a practical tool for engaging residents with speech, language or communication needs.

Accreditation bodies and standards organisations may note that NIFRS is described as the first fire and rescue service in the UK to achieve Communication Access accreditation through the RCSLT.