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Fire stations 'unfit for purpose' Fire stations 'unfit for purpose'
(10 minutes later)
Twenty-six Northern Ireland fire stations are no longer fit for purpose, the Fire and Rescue Service has said.Twenty-six Northern Ireland fire stations are no longer fit for purpose, the Fire and Rescue Service has said.
About £15m is needed annually to maintain standards, however it is only scheduled to get £4m, it has claimed.About £15m is needed annually to maintain standards, however it is only scheduled to get £4m, it has claimed.
The service also said its 999 call out system would not be able to respond quickly to emergencies within two years.The service also said its 999 call out system would not be able to respond quickly to emergencies within two years.
It has written to assembly members over its concerns about money allocation in the executive's draft budget.It has written to assembly members over its concerns about money allocation in the executive's draft budget.
Bill Gillespie, chairman of the Fire and Rescue Service's board, said the allocation would "barely replace our fire appliances and equipment, never mind look towards investment in fire stations and our 999 Command & Control System". Bill Gillespie, chairman of the Fire and Rescue Service's board, said the allocation would "barely replace our fire appliances and equipment, never mind look towards investment in fire stations and our 999 command and control system".
"Undoubtedly very difficult decisions will have to be made in relation to the provision of emergency cover for the people of Northern Ireland," he said. "Undoubtedly, very difficult decisions will have to be made in relation to the provision of emergency cover for the people of Northern Ireland," he said.
Mr Gillespie said the service may have to consider reducing emergency cover provision by removing some full-time firefighters from Ballymena, Lisburn, Lurgan, Bangor and Newry.Mr Gillespie said the service may have to consider reducing emergency cover provision by removing some full-time firefighters from Ballymena, Lisburn, Lurgan, Bangor and Newry.