THE Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service is seen by some as being “led by donkeys.”


That’s according to former Health Minister Edwin Poots who has told the Assembly that there has been a “period of colossally bad leadership” within the organisation in the past. 


He was speaking during a motion by the Ulster Unionist Party on pressures facing the fire service and proposals to alter the way it operates its fire stations, including its station in Enniskillen.


Enniskillen Fire Station began a full-time service as a pilot scheme last year but the cost-cutting move, which is out for consultation, has been criticised by retained firefighters and last week the issue was debated at the Assembly. 


“It was no secret that there had been a long period of very poor management and leadership of the fire service,” said Mr. Poots. Another former health minister, Michael McGimpsey said the proposals will put areas such as Enniskillen “at higher risk.”


The Democratic Unionist’s Gary Middleton said a risk assessment by the fire service found that “it would be better” to introduce whole-time crews at stations, including Enniskillen. 


“It is dangerous to suggest directly that the reduction in the budget will compromise public safety and the safety of fire officers,” he said.


Health Minister Simon Hamilton said it was the professional opinion of the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service that resources “could be rebalanced appropriately and proportionately across Northern Ireland to address better the level of risk to the public and to firefighters”.


“The professionals’ view is that the proposals that are out for consultation would result in improved cover in rural areas and in areas west of the Bann. That would apply to stations like Downpatrick, Dungannon, Strabane, as was mentioned during the debate, and Enniskillen,” he said.