Ballycastle man Peter O'Reilly becomes Northern Ireland's new Chief Fire Officer

By Q Radio news

A veteran fire chief who apologised to the families of the Manchester terror attack victims has been appointed Northern Ireland’s new chief fire officer.

Ballycastle man Peter O’Reilly will take up the £128K top post next week.

Mr O’Reilly previously served for 21 years in the NIFRS before heading up the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service.

His appointment was announced by the NIFRS Board and Health Minister Robin Swann.

Northern Ireland has a new Chief Fire Officer. Peter O’Reilly joined the Northern Ireland Fire Brigade in 1990 and served as Northern Area Commander. He was also Chief Fire Officer of Greater Manchester FRS between 2015 and 2018. He'll take up his new role next week. pic.twitter.com/7CFtLGZgOe

— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) August 27, 2021

Peter O’Reilly joined the then Northern Ireland Fire Brigade in 1990.

He served most of his career in Belfast as a Firefighter, Junior Officer and District Commander before moving to Ballymena to become Assistant Area Commander and later Northern Area Commander.

Mr O’Reilly joined Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service as Assistant Chief Fire Officer in 2011.

He was the organisation’s Chief Fire Officer between 2015 and 2018.

Mr O’Reilly is a member of the National Fire Chiefs Council, where he has served as Chair of its Fire Engineering and Technical Standards Committee and Chair of its Strategic Health Committee.

He was also Chair of the Fire and Rescue Sector National Occupational
Committee.

New Chief Fire and Rescue Officer Peter O'Reilly

Commenting on the news, Minister Swann said:

“I welcome the appointment of Peter O’Reilly as the new Chief Fire & Rescue Officer for the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service.

With over 25 years of experience within the fire and rescue services, I have no doubt that he will provide the necessary
leadership to guide NIFRS into the future.”

The Minister also thanked Michael Graham for his valuable contribution as Interim Chief Fire & Rescue Officer.

As Chief Fire & Rescue Officer, Mr O’Reilly will have a central role in ensuring continued success and providing additional stability as NIFRS emerges from the challenges presented by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Congratulating Mr O’Reilly on his appointment, Carmel McKinney OBE, Chair of the NIFRS Board, said:

“Peter is a committed and dedicated firefighter who will bring a wealth of operational and strategic experience to the role.”

Peter O’Reilly, newly appointed Chief Fire & Rescue Officer, said:

“Having started my firefighting career with NIFRS, I am extremely proud to lead it going forward and work with over 1,800
exceptional operational and wider supporting team members as we continue to deliver our prevention
and emergency response service to protect our community".