NIFRS signs cross border road safety agreement with Monaghan

by Gráinne Connolly

Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) has recently signed an agreement with Monaghan Council Fire & Rescue Service enhancing their long standing working in responding to road traffic collisions in the border areas.

The initial phase, of the 6 phase agreement, relates to the Clones and Lisnaskea areas.

The deal recognises that given the geographical location, both local Fire Crews may be mobilised the same road traffic collision and may be required to work together at this types of incidents.  

The agreement outlines the roles and responsibilities of both Services and facilitates the sharing of good practice with a joint training initiative taking place recently.   

Alan Walmsley, Assistant Chief Fire & Rescue Officer, Prevention & Protection, explains:

“This agreement will help enhance the speed and efficiency of operational response to road traffic collisions in these areas and ultimately this will help save more lives.”

“The recent joint training initiative provided Fire Crews with the opportunity to work alongside each other and become aware of each other’s road traffic collision procedures.  

"It was also an opportunity for the crews to get to know each other so that when they arrive at the scene of a crash it will facilitate a team approach to the rescue of people trapped in their vehicles.

“Collaborative working like this, is good news not only for people who live in the border areas as it helps to enhance the emergency cover for the local community, but it is also good news for Firefighters contributing to Firefighter safety.

“We have seen our joint agreements working very successfully in other border counties and we are confident that this new arrangement will be to the benefit of the people of Lisnaskea and Clones and local Firefighters.”