The ability of fire service staff to cross the Irish Border during emergencies after Brexit, with specific concern raised around the Belleek and Ballyshannon area, has been highlighted in an internal report by the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS).

A freedom of information request by the People’s Vote campaign, which wants another referendum on Brexit, has revealed that fire service response times in Northern Ireland may be impacted as a result of Brexit.

In a statement the NIFRS said it was looking at the possible impact of Brexit on cross-Border arrangements.

The document detailed that any corrective action could impact on the delivery of core organisational objectives.

The risk was labelled as critical and could lead to reduced operational cover and delays in responding to incidents.

The ability of the fire service staff to move across the Border was labelled a medium risk in the report, with the Fermanagh and Donegal Border a specific concern.

Joe O’Loughlin, a former volunteer fireman and one of the founding members of Belleek Fire Station in the 1970s, hopes that common sense will prevail when it comes to the role of the fire service in the area.

“It’s hard to know if it going to have an affect on it. I’d say it would be necessary that Ballyshannon and Belleek to still work together if lives are at risk. You would think a bit of common sense would apply,” said Mr. O’Loughlin (pictured below).

“If there was a situation that required the two fire brigades I wouldn’t see anything to stop it because saving life and property is so important it can’t be restricted. It wouldn’t work.

“I’m looking at it from a common sense point of view. Would you have to have a similar situation with the Ambulance Service or Mountain Rescue team?”

Currency swings were also highlighted as potential scenarios that could also hit the NIFRS budget.

The fire service currently imports its vehicles from the European Union and this is also at risk.

In a statement the NIFRS said that it was working with other agencies, including the Department of Health to “identify any potential impacts on service delivery position” as a result of Brexit.

A spokeswoman said it has been liaising with the Republic of Ireland Border Fire Services in relation to any potential impacts of the United Kingdom leaving the EU may have on the existing cross Border arrangements with business continuity measures put in place if necessary.