Council members seek assurances over fire service cover in Carrickfergus

Elected members on Mid and East Antrim Borough Council have called for assurances over fire service provision in Carrickfergus amid fears over cutbacks.

At the Council’s monthly meeting on Monday night, members agreed to invite the acting chief of the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service to a meeting to discuss concerns.

Recent media coverage reported fire service resources are to be scaled back in a number of Northern Ireland towns, including Carrickfergus.

Council's Chief Executive Anne Donaghy has written to interim Chief Fire and Rescue Officer Michael Graham seeking clarification.

Alderman Billy Ashe MBE told the meeting: “The firefighters in Carrickfergus, and in particular the part-time firefighters, serve our community very well."

He said he wished to establish what information carried in the media regarding the service's future was factual.

Councillor Andrew Wilson said: “I welcome the fact we've already written and I commend the chief for doing that, to get some answers."

Alderman Noel Williams said it is vital fire service provision is protected in Carrickfergus and proposed an urgent meeting with the acting fire chief, which was agreed by members.