| Like us on Facebook: |  |
Follow us on Twitter: |  |
Fire crews honoured for tackling hilltop fires
Pictured: Belfast Lord Mayor Tom Hartley congratulates fire crews who fought over 40 fires in the Belfast Hills this summer. L-R: Gabriel Ferguson, Chris Kerr, Lord Mayor Tom Hartley, Davy Shaw and Bill Donovan
Below: A fire fighter in the Belfast Hills during one of the malicious fires last summer
Fire fighters who tackled the spate of serious fires in the Belfast Hills this summer have been nominated for a leading community award.
The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) received the accolade today at the West Belfast Partnership Board's annual Community Environmental Awards.
The awards, sponsored by NIHE, Belfast Community Housing and Bombardier Aerospace, are designed to highlight community groups and organisations working, often without recognition, to improve the local environment in and around West Belfast.
This year the Fire and Rescue Service was recognised for the work of fire crews who fought widespread blazes in the Belfast Hills during the summer.
They have also been commended for their voluntary efforts in clearing up areas such as Upper Colin Glen.
The Service was nominated for the award by the Belfast Hills Partnership.
"Fighting fires up in the hills is one of the dirtiest and most difficult jobs and all of the fire fighters deserve recognition for what they have been doing in protecting our local wildlife and environment," said Belfast Hills Partnership Manager Jim Bradley.
"Behind the scenes, fire fighters have also been carrying out voluntary work on these sites, which has been invaluable.
"We are all aware of how much we owe to the Fire and Rescue Service for their daily work in protecting life, limb and property. We decided that all the hard work put in to fighting the fires across the hills had to be recognised.
"These fires have threatened some of our most precious and sensitive habitats and species on parts of Black Mountain and Divis. Each fire can cause great damage to birds, plants and insects. The Service's prompt response often means that serious long-term damage is prevented," said Jim Bradley.
"That was why we nominated the Service for this award and why we, along with our partners the National Trust and Colin Glen Trust, appreciate their sterling work so much.
"We would like to thank the West Belfast Partnership Board for accepting this nomination and giving us all a chance to say a big thank you to the Fire and Rescue Service."
The crew from Springfield Road Fire Station and NIFRS Belfast Area Commander, Chris Kerr, travelled to Colin Glen Forest Park Centre today to receive the award on behalf of all the crews who played a part in protecting the local environment.
Chris Kerr said:
"We are delighted to receive this award which is testament to the hard work and commitment of local fire crews over what has been a particularly busy period for the Fire and Rescue Service.
"This year alone there have been 44 incidences involving fire crews in the Belfast Hills, requiring crews to work in difficult and punishing conditions," he said.
"We look forward in continuing to work with the Belfast Hills Partnership along with representatives of the local community, to drive down the number of deliberate fires impacting on Belfast Hills."
Back
