Almost two-dozen new fire stations are on the way at locations right across the Province as part of a major redevelopment and investment in the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS).

Replacement fire appliances with state-of-the-art satellite navigation and computer terminals and screens in their vehicles will also bring the service right up to date too.

The NI Public Safety Minister, Michael McGimpsey today announced details of a major £26 million capital investment over the next three years which will see new fire appliances, fire fighting equipment, and up-to-date IT systems as well as beginning the process of replacing or modernising many fire stations.

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With total planned investment of some £168m over the next decade, the NIRFS intends to replace 26 stations, including the purchase of 22 new sites and the refurbish a further 10 existing ones.

A number of new pumping appliances will also be replaced annually until 2017 under the Fleet Replacement Strategy. This funding will include £30m for the planned new Public Sector Training College at Desertcreat near Cookstown which is being developed by the NIFRS, the PSNI and the NI Prison Service.

The Minister says he intends to "invest a further £14 million over the next three years which is in addition to the original £12 million already allocated as a result of the Comprehensive Spending Review.

"Over the next 10 years I plan to invest some £168 million. This funding is as a result of the review of capital priorities which I commissioned to help inform me on the longer term investment required in the health and social care and public safety infrastructure."

(BMcC)